LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC announced on Wednesday the club had signed goalkeeper Oliver Semmle, a national champion during his time at Marshall University, to his first professional contract. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

“We are thrilled to be able to add Oliver to our group,” said LouCity Head Coach, Danny Cruz. “Throughout this offseason our goalkeepers coach, Scott Budnick, did an excellent job of identifying a long list of names that we felt could play an important role at this club. Ultimately, Oliver fit the positional profile of what we were looking for.

“He is calm under pressure and reads the game very well. We have already seen in his preseason minutes the quality that he brings in our buildout. I am looking forward to continuing to watch his development this year as he challenges the goalkeeping group to be at its best every single day.”

From Au am Rhein, Germany, Semmle transferred to Marshall for his junior season. In the spring of 2021, he played all but 45 minutes of the Thundering Herd’s national title campaign, leading the NCAA with 11 shutouts while boasting a 0.38 goals-against average.

Semmle continued with Marshall through the 2022 season, advancing to the third round of the NCAA Tournament before the Colorado Rapids selected him 41st overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.

The 6-foot-3 shot stopper joined LouCity after a trial with the Rapids. His preseason appearances have included a shutout in last week’s victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

“I‘m very happy and grateful to be part of the Louisville City family now by signing my first professional contract,” Semmle said. “I‘m looking forward to working with and learning from a group of players and coaches that has had great success in the past. I also can’t wait to meet the fans in our home stadium and to get started to achieve our goal to winning a USL Championship title.”

Goalkeepers Kyle Morton and Danny Faundez are back from the 2022 team, but both have missed time during preseason due to injury, giving Semmle opportunity to shine in LouCity’s friendlies.

“I think he's the best goalie in the country hands down,” Marshall’s coach, Chris Grassie, said of Semmle last season. “For me, there is no one who can play like him with his feet and the shot stopping and crosses that he does — such a great presence.”