Sources: Chicago Fire II sign Olu Oyegunle
The Chicago Fire have signed center back Olu Oyegunle to a second team contract, sources tell MIR97 Media. Oyegunle was drafted by the Fire in 2023 and signs an MLS Next Pro contract for 2025 with an option for 2026.
Oyegunle, 22, was one of the top defenders in the NCAA from 2021 to 2023 with Syracuse, playing a pivotal role in the school's treble-winning season in 2022. The Orange won the ACC regular season title, ACC tournament, and NCAA tournament. He started every game en route to both tournament wins, including the national championship victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on penalties.
While Oyegunle was drafted in the second round (#33 overall) by the Fire back in 2023, he did not sign with the club and declined an invite to preseason as he pursued opportunities in Europe. A move overseas never materialized, and he's now back in the U.S., joining the Fire on an MLS Next Pro deal.
Oyegunle, a strong and quick center back, is best known for his one-on-one defending. He was part of a back three throughout his time in Syracuse under head coach Ian McIntyre, but he can also play in a four like he will in Chicago. He joins the other two members of the 2022 defensive unit – Buster Sjöberg and Abdi Salim – in signing deals with MLS clubs, though Salim was recently let go by Orlando.
Oyegunle is also the first Syracuse alum to join the Fire since Mo Adams left the club in 2019. He is one of many Orange stars to come out of the Brampton, Ontario area, including Levonte Johnson and Inter Milan wingback Tajon Buchanan. MLS All-Star center back Kamal Miller also comes from nearby Scarborough and is someone Oyegunle was often compared to during his time in central New York.
Oyegunle is the first confirmed Fire II addition of the offseason. Second team regulars David Poreba and Omari Glasgow both received first team promotions after impressive performances this season, while midfielder Dylan Borso signed a homegrown contract today after a standout year at Wake Forest. Oyegunle could be a future recipient of a first team promotion given his high ceiling as a defender.
