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Chicago Fire sign David Poreba to first team contract

Alex Calabrese

11 Dec 2024 — 2 min read

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The first signing of the Gregg Berhalter era in Chicago is complete, with the club signing forward David Poreba to an MLS deal this week. Poreba, a former Fire Academy player, won the MLS Next Pro MVP and Golden Boot awards last season as a member of Chicago Fire II.

The move for Poreba, who notched 21 goals and 6 assists last season for the second team, does not come as a surprise. The Fire already parted ways with forwards Missael Rodríguez and Victor Bezerra, opening two slots on the team's supplemental MLS roster.

“David has earned this opportunity after an impressive season with Chicago Fire II,” said Berhalter. “David is a very promising young player with strong leadership qualities, and we look forward to seeing his continued development at the next level.”

Poreba joined Fire II on an initial loan ahead of the 2024 season from Polish top flight club Stal Mielec, whom he joined in 2021. He then spent 2023 on loan in the Charlotte FC system, mainly featuring in MLS Next Pro. His loan to the Fire included an option to make the move permanent, an option which was picked up in recent days.

Though he was called up to the Fire's first team three times in 2024, he did not get off the bench in MLS and was an unused substitute in July matches against Philadelphia, New York City, and Cincinnati. Poreba played nearly every available minute for Fire II as the team's captain, seeing 2,720 of a possible 2,730 across 30 MLS Next Pro matches. He was utilized primarily as a number nine in that time, but his natural position is thought to be further back as a number ten.

2024 marks the third successive season that MLS Next Pro's Golden Boot winner has also won the MVP. Jacen Russell-Rowe won both awards in 2022, scoring 21 times, and represents an MLS Next Pro success story, given his prominence for club and country. However, 2023 MVP Jack Lynn is still an Orlando City B mainstay and made 11 appearances in MLS last season.

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