San Diego FC sign free agent midfielder Bryce Duke
Credit: SDFC
This Monday, February 9, San Diego FC officially announced the signing of free agent Bryce Duke.
The 24-year-old midfielder signed a contract through June 2027 with club options through the 2027-28 and 2028-29 seasons.
Duke last played with the Montreal Impact from 2023-25 and also has MLS experience with Inter Miami and LAFC. The Peoria, Arizona native played part of his youth career at the Barcelona Residency Academy and has plenty of experience, despite his age.
𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝗴𝗼, @DukeBryce .
San Diego FC has signed midfielder Bryce Duke guaranteed through June 2027 with Club options through the 2027-28 season and the 2028-29 season.
🔗 https://t.co/6z4NbbVP1A pic.twitter.com/JQrITEPC2z
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) February 9, 2026
In the 2025 season, Duke played in 18 games for Montreal, with only seven games coming as a starter. His last game came on October 18 against Cincinnati, only playing nine minutes of the match.
The 24-year-old is an offensive midfielder with creative qualities, much like Onni Valakari, but without the physical prowess and height of the Finnish player.
SDFC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps talked about what Duke brings to the team. “Bryce is a versatile midfielder with excellent technical quality and a strong work ethic,” said Heaps. “He brings valuable experience, having already played 100 games in MLS, and we look forward to seeing him continue to develop in our environment.”
That technical ability really fits the mold of the players Mikey Varas, Heaps, and SDFC have been trying to target for the club. Maintaining possession and passing the ball more than anyone in the league has been part of San Diego’s playing style.
Duke certainly can play in this type of system, and another creative midfield option was needed after Luca de la Torre’s departure.
San Diego FC will finish off the CONCACAF Champions Cup series against Pumas UNAM this Tuesday, February 10, and will start the MLS season on February 21, against Duke’s former team, the Montreal Impact.
Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.