Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Hounds have announced the signing of Santiago Videla, a 27-year-old back from Chile. Videla joins the team after two seasons with the Miami Sharks in Major League Rugby (MLR). He is recognized as Chile's all-time leading points scorer and has played a key role in helping his national team qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

During his first MLR season in 2024, Videla appeared in 12 matches, starting each one and playing nearly 1,000 minutes. He scored 74 points through nine conversion kicks, 13 penalty kicks, and three tries. His goal-kicking accuracy was just over 70%. Offensively, he carried the ball for more than 600 meters and beat multiple defenders. Defensively, he completed most of his tackle attempts.

Videla returned to Miami for the following season and contributed to the Sharks' first playoff appearance after an even regular-season record. He started all eleven games he played that year across several positions including flyhalf, inside center, and fullback. According to Hounds’ General Manager Will Magie, this versatility is expected to benefit the team during the upcoming campaign.

Last season saw Videla score 46 points with an improved kicking success rate of 88%. He also made significant gains as a ball carrier and maintained solid defensive statistics.

Since debuting for Chile’s national rugby team in November 2017 against Kenya, Videla has remained a regular selection. In recent years he helped Chile secure spots at both the 2023 and upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cups by contributing crucial points during qualification matches.

"Videla returned to the Sharks in 2025 and helped them clinch their first playoff berth after finishing the regular season 8-8. He earned an additional 11 caps, all of them starts, playing flyhalf, inside center, and fullback," stated Hounds’ General Manager Will Magie.