LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC announced on Tuesday it had signed goalkeeper Kyle Morton, bringing a two-time finalist for USL Championship Goalkeeper of the Year to the club for the 2022 season.

Terms of the deal, which are pending league and federation approval, were not disclosed as Morton makes a move from Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo FC.

The West Chester, Penn., native appeared for the Dynamo in its season finale but also saw action during a five-game loan spell with the USL Championship’s Memphis 901 FC during the 2021 campaign. An eight-save performance in his Memphis debut earned Morton the league’s Player of the Week award back on July 13.

“We are excited to be able to add such a quality goalkeeper into this group,” said LouCity Head Coach Danny Cruz. “After our interview with Kyle, it was clear that we would be getting a determined player who has extremely high expectations. His ability to direct from the back and make the big saves were two key traits that stuck out to us when scouting him. We are looking forward to getting him to Louisville and integrating him into the group.”

Morton has previously faced LouCity regularly since turning professional following his time at James Madison University. After signing originally with the Rochester Rhinos for the 2017 season, Morton followed Head Coach Bob Lilley to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC the following year, and despite missing most of 2018 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament he returned to have a career year in 2019, ranking second in the league with 13 clean sheets as the Riverhounds posted the Eastern Conference’s best record.

Morton shifted to Saint Louis FC for the 2020 campaign — one shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic — and won the starting job on an eventual playoff team. He registered a 73.5 percent save percentage while making 51 saves. In both the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Morton was voted as a finalist for the Championship’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Morton’s two most-recent USL Championship campaigns met familiar ends. He was a Goalkeeper of the Year finalist, and his teams lost to LouCity in the postseason, with Pittsburgh falling in the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals and Saint Louis FC bowing out in the 2020 Conference Semifinals.

“Having played against Louisville City FC however many times, including at the new stadium, and knowing the type of guys who have come through there, it was a no brainer when the offer came across,” Morton said. “If I was going to play in the USL, it was only going to be at Louisville City.

“I know about the club, the facilities and the expectations. That’s all something I want to align myself with, because it’s a challenge, and I want to win. But I know I’ll have to earn my spot. I’m excited contribute and compete for a championship.”

The 27-year-old has made 46 regular-season appearances overall in the Championship and posted 20 shutouts while recording a goals-against average of 0.96 and a save percentage of 73.3 percent. He has also made four postseason appearances, recording two shutouts and a goals-against average of 0.92 in the USL Championship Playoffs.

“Signing Kyle was one of our primary objectives this offseason, and thanks to Danny, James O’Connor, and Austin Buchanan we got it done,” said LouCity goalkeepers coach, Scott Budnick. “Kyle is the total package, and I am glad to know we will be game planning this season with him on our side of the lineup sheet.”