Chicago Fire FC announced the signing of South African winger Puso Dithejane, 21, in a move aimed at strengthening the roster with a focus on development and continuity. The player joins the club after a spell with TS Galaxy FC and has signed a contract through the 2029/30 season, with an option for 2030/31. According to the club, Dithejane will occupy a Sub-22 Initiative slot and will also count as an international player on the Fire’s roster.
The deal fits within the investment profile allowed under MLS mechanisms and comes just a few months after Chicago Fire returned to the MLS Cup Playoffs, something the club had not achieved since 2017.
Who Puso Dithejane is and what he has delivered so far
Dithejane arrives in the United States after making 63 appearances for TS Galaxy in South Africa’s top division, scoring seven goals and providing 13 assists. Those numbers reflect steady attacking involvement over more than one season. Before that, he began his professional career at Kaizer Chiefs, one of the country’s most traditional clubs, where he took his first steps in professional soccer.
Although he plays as a winger, Dithejane isn’t defined solely by his offensive output. The player still needs to improve in areas such as ball control, which is expected at his age, but he shows good awareness in interception situations. That type of trait helps explain why the Fire opted for a long-term contract, betting on gradual development and adaptation to the pace of the league.
Gregg Berhalter, Chicago Fire’s director of soccer and head coach, highlighted the profile of the signing when announcing the move. “As we welcome Puso to Chicago, we are adding one of the best young attacking players from South Africa to our team,” he said. He then emphasized the depth and long-term nature of the signing. “His dynamic energy will add more depth to our roster this season, while also laying the foundation for him to continue developing and strengthening the team for many seasons to come.”
A move within an ongoing strategy
Dithejane is the second South African player signed by Chicago Fire this preseason. Earlier, the club had already announced the addition of center back Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who arrived from Orlando Pirates, also through the Sub-22 Initiative. The repeated use of the South African market points to an active scouting focus.
Chicago Fire open their 2026 campaign on February 21 against Houston Dynamo FC. Dithejane arrives as part of a roster looking to remain competitive throughout the season, with room for individual development under a long-term contract. Without inflated labels and without rushing the process, the bet is on growth with time and context and, of course, generating some form of return.