Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has signed defender Carlo Ritaccio to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract, pending league and U.S. Soccer Federation approval. His contract with Chicago Fire FC II will run through the 2022 season, with a club option for 2023. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“It’s exciting for us to have a player of Carlo’s quality and abilities as we begin our first MLS NEXT Pro season,” said Chicago Fire FC Technical Director Sebastian Pelzer. “Carlo’s experience and maturity will stabilize our back line and set the bar for our young players to replicate.”
Ritaccio, 22, spent the last four seasons with the University of Akron, where he made 58 appearances (52 starts) for the Zips. A native of Westbury, N.Y., as a freshman Ritaccio helped anchor a Zips’ defensive unit that posted eight shutouts in the 2018 campaign, while tallying three goals, all in the postseason, en route to being named the National Freshman of the Year by TopDrawerSoccer.com, as well as being tabbed to their Freshman Best XI first team.
“We want to be a possession-based team and it’s important to have a center back like Carlo who can move the ball forward from the backline” said Chicago Fire FC II Head Coach Ludovic Taillander. “He is very comfortable on the ball and is a strong communicator in the back. From the moment he arrived, he fit seamlessly into the group as if he’d always been here.”
Earlier this year, Ritaccio traveled to Orlando with the Chicago Fire FC first team for preseason training camp. At the international level, Ritaccio has earned call ups to the U-14, U-15 and U-17 U.S. Men’s Youth National Teams.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC signs defender Carlo Ritaccio to MLS NEXT Pro professional contract for 2022 season, with a club option for 2023.
Name: Carlo Ritaccio
Position: Defender
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 172 lbs.
Date of Birth: January 9, 2000
Hometown: Westbury, New York
Birthplace: Westbury, New York
Citizenship: United States of America
Last Club: University of Akron
