FC Cincinnati signed 17-year-old academy forward Stefan Chirila to his first professional contract on Tuesday. The homegrown player inked an MLS NEXT Pro deal to play the remainder of the 2024 season at FC Cincinnati 2. Chirila will join the first-team FC Cincinnati roster in 2025, under contract through 2028 with a team option for 2029. “We’re proud to have signed Stefan to his first professional contract,” FCC general manager Chris Albright said.
“Stefan’s success is a testament to his hard work, as well as the work done by our Academy staff and MLS NEXT Pro staff. He already possesses great instincts around goal, and we’re excited for his continued development at FC Cincinnati.” In the FC Cincinnati Academy system, Chirila scored 41 goals across all youth competitions during the 2023-24 season. Since making his MLS NEXT Pro debut on March 17, he has collected four goals and two assists in seven matches.
