Chicago Fire signs another academy standout

by Travis Clark

March 11, 2020

For the second time this week, another Chicago Fire Academy player has turned pro.

The franchise announced the addition of Javier Casas on Tuesday, as the U.S. youth national team vet signed a Homegrown contract.

“Javier has shown tremendous upside as he has been training within the first-team throughout the 2020 season,” Fire Head Coach Raphael Wicky said in a press release. “His soccer IQ is beyond his years and our staff is looking forward to working with him to continue his development in a professional setting.”

The No. 16 ranked player in the 2021 Boys IMG Academy Top 150, Casas has played in 66 Development Academy games for the Fire, scoring 10 goals during that stretch. He played in first-team preseason training with Chicago before signing a contract this week.

A spark in central midfield. pic.twitter.com/acS1EnIRPN
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 10, 2020

“We’re thrilled to see another quality player such as Javier sign a Homegrown contract,” Chicago Fire FC Academy Technical Director Cedric Cattenoy said in a statement. “He fully understands the values of this Club and will continue to progress in the professional ranks.”

Along with his success with the Fire, Casas has also been a mainstay with the Under-14 and Under-16 Boys' National Teams. Fellow academy graduate Brian Gutierrez also signed this week.