Fire Transfer M Brian Gutierrez to CD Guadalajara

The Fire has transferred midfielder Brian Gutierrez, a Chicago native, to Club Deportivo Guadalajara for a reported “multi-million-dollar transfer fee.” The Athletic estimates this fee to be around $5 million.

If LigaMX decides to keep Gutierrez, the Fire will receive a share of any future transfer fee.

Gutierrez has been part of the Fire youth academy since 2015.

“Brian has shown continuous improvement and dedication to our club over the last 11 years. His progress this year has been impressive, and we celebrate his achievements,” said Gregg Berhalter, the Fire’s director of football and head coach.

“As he moves forward in his career, we are confident that he will keep improving and make an even bigger impact in the future.”

At 22, Gutierrez scored nine goals and provided six assists in 29 matches (24 starts) last season.

Overall, he has recorded 19 goals and 18 assists in 149 career matches (104 starts) with the Fire.

Of Mexican descent, he obtained a Mexican passport in 2015, allowing him the option to play for Mexico’s national team.

Additionally, the Fire has permanently transferred forward Georgios Koutsias to FC Lugano. He had been on loan to the Swiss club since January.

Koutsias, 20, has scored five goals and made three assists in 57 appearances (18 starts) with the Fire during the 2023-24 season.