Fifteen-year-old Barca Residency Academy standout Brody Williams has signed his first professional contract with MLS Next Pro side Chicago Fire FC II. With this milestone, Williams becomes the youngest player in Barca Residency Academy history to sign a professional contract— at precisely 15 years old.
“We are very happy to welcome Brody to the Club as a player who not only is already a top talent in the country but has a great desire to keep growing,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Gregg Broughton. “We continue to emphasize that Chicago a top destination for local and global talent and having Brody return to Chicagoland to continue his development is another example of the clear pathway to becoming a professional that the Chicago Fire has to offer.”
Williams joined Barca Residency Academy ahead of the 2024-25 season from Barca Academy Chicago. The midfielder compiled 10 goals and five assists in 24 appearances for Barca Residency Academy’s U15 and U16 MLS Next sides.
“Brody is a versatile player with a very high ceiling,” said Chicago Fire FC II General Manager Alex Boler. “We’ve been following his progress with Barça Residency and feel that he’s ready to make the jump from MLS NEXT to MLS NEXT Pro. He is an excellent player who fits into our playing system as well as within our team and we’re excited to have him with us in Chicago.”
Barca Residency Academy wishes Brody all the best as he takes the next step in his career and enters into the professional world of soccer.
