Chicago Fire FC acquires local rights to play for midfielder Sam Williams from New York Red Bulls

Chicago changes $ 100,000 in general allocation money for Williams; Williams signs a contract as a local player with Chicago Fire FC

CHICAGO ((March 14, 2025) – Chicago Fire FC announced today that the club acquired the native rights rights for midfielder Sam Williams in exchange for $ 100,000 for general allocation fees. Willliams also signed a contract with Chicago Fire FC as a local player who runs with club options for 2026, 2027 and 2028 by 2025. Financial conditions have not been announced.

In addition, New York can receive up to $ 75,000 on GAM if certain performance-based metrics are reached.

“Sam has been training since January since January and has not only proven his ability to take part in the first team level, but also his resilience and ability to adapt,” said Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and head coach Gregg Berhalter. “He is a versatile player who makes an excellent addition to our roster when we progress with the regular 2025 season.”

The 19 -year -old Williams came from the University of North Carolina to Chicago Fire FC II in January 2025. Williams started and played for 84 minutes against black and red before being replaced by local midfielder Mauricio Pineda. The young midfielder also experienced the first win of the fire and came in the 87th minute of the 3-1 win against FC Dallas on March 8 in Frisco, Texas, for Sergio Orogel jr ..

Williams took part in the pre -season camps of the fire and traveled to West Palm Beach with the team, where he deserved against the Brazilian First Division Side Fortaleza and the MLS Western Conference Foe Sporting Kansas City. In the second stage of the pre -season, Williams played against LAFC, Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthsbs at the Coachella Valley Invitational and in a closed Scrimmage against Las Vegas Lights FC to complete the previous season.

As a member of the New York Red Bulls Academy, Williams was the first graduate to reach the regular 2022 season for New York Red Bulls II during the regular 2022 season. In North Carolina, Williams was called the 2022 All-Acc-Semester and All-Acc-ACC.

The midfielder received a commitment to the US U-19 youth team in the January training camp of the US U-19 youth team in 2023, one of just two players who took part in college football at the time. He followed his call with a successful season in the second year for North Carolina and started on the way to a quarter-finals at the NCAA tournament.

Transaction: Chicago Fire FC acquires the local right to play for midfielder Sam Williams from New York Red Bulls in exchange for $ 100,000 for general allocation fees.

Name: Sam Williams
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'10 ”
Weight: 162 lbs.
Birth date: March 18, 2005
Hometown: Tenafly, NJ
Place of birth: Tenafly, NJ
Citizenship: United States of America
Previous club: Chicago Fire FC II