The Chicago Fire have signed center back Grant Lillard to a Homegrown deal, the club announced Wendesday.
Lillard, 22, will be under contract until 2019, with club options for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
“It’s a dream come true to sign with my hometown club. After moving here in high school, this is where I set as my goal to play. It’s an unbelievable experience to have it become a reality,” said Lillard in a statement released by the club.
“Even with the Academy, we always talked about what it means to represent the Chicago Fire and wear the badge. To be able to do it now at the senior level and in front of hometown fans is an unbelievable honor.”
Lillard was a four-year player at Indiana Univerisity, being the captain of the squad that reached the College Cup final in 2017, and receiving Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 2014, as well as a spot in the All-Big Ten first team in 2015 and 2016.
He was part of the Chicago Fire Academy on the under-16 and under-18 levels.