CHICAGO (March 24, 2022) - Chicago Fire FC II today announced that the Club has signed defender Henrique Gallina to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2023 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“We identified Henrique when he was in college, where he developed in two very good programs under two excellent head coaches,” said Chicago Fire II General Manager Alex Boler. “He can play multiple positions on the backline and his mentality, athleticism and work ethic make him the kind of player and teammate that can thrive in Chicago and help our Club reach our objectives.”
Henrique, 23, hails from Atibaia, Brazil and joins Chicago Fire FC II having spent the last season playing Division I soccer for the University of Pittsburgh. In his only season with the Panthers, he appeared in 19 matches, recording two assists and over 1,200 minutes played in his graduate year.
“Henrique is a versatile player who fits very well to the way we want to play,” said Chicago Fire II head coach Ludovic Taillandier. “He shows a good blend between defensive qualities and the ability to move forward and attack. He has good technique with both feet and has the capacity to help the team build from the back. He has also demonstrated strong leadership qualities as he blends in with our younger players and helps with their development while working ons his own growth as a player. Henrique is a great addition to our team, and we’re excited to have him in Chicago.”
Prior to his time at Pitt, the defender spent three seasons playing for the University of South Florida. In his tenure with the Bulls, he recorded eight goals and six assists in 50 appearances. His impressive freshman season led to an American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team selection in 2018. He was also awarded with All-Academic honors in 2018-19. In 2021, he tied the team high in goals with five, and led the program with 13 points in his final season at USF before transferring to Pittsburgh in 2022.
At the youth level, Gallina grew up playing for SE Palmeiras in his home country of Brazil. He would eventually move to Southern California where he joined FC Golden State, a U.S. Soccer Development Academy team based out of Whittier, Calif.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC II signs defender Henrique Gallina to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2023 season.
Name: Henrique Gallina
Position: Defender
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 185
Date of Birth: July 1, 1999
Hometown: Atibaia, Brazil
Birthplace: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Citizenship: Brazil
Last Club: University of Pittsburgh
