LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC announced on Tuesday the club had signed midfielder Taylor Davila to a multi-year contract ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Davila had a career year with Rio Grande Valley FC in 2023, earning USL Championship All-League First Team honors after recording six goals, five assists and ranking second in the league with 66 chances created.

"Signing Taylor was one of our priorities this offseason," said LouCity Head Coach Danny Cruz. "His tactical awareness and quality on the ball were two things that stood out to us. He had a good season individually last year, but I believe the best has yet to come for him. We are looking forward to getting him to Louisville, and I'm excited to get to work with him."

The 23-year-old had joined the Toros after spending the prior two campaigns in the USL Championship with the LA Galaxy II. A native of Sherman Oaks, Calif., Davila attended the University of California, where he was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team in 2019 before electing to join the professional ranks with Los Dos after his sophomore season.

In addition to his stout offensive numbers for Rio Grande Valley, Davila posted a passing accuracy rate of 84.4 percent, made 203 recoveries and tallied 49 tackles at a 73.1 percent success rate.

“Last year with RGV, I was playing a higher role in the midfield than I had in the last couple of years,” said Davila. “I think that really gave me the freedom to be closer to the goal and really affect the game and be more dangerous offensively. I'd like to continue that this year and really mesh well with my new teammates.”

Analysis

Taylor Davila came into his own in the 2023 season with Rio Grande Valley FC and at 23 years old could become the next long-term fixture in Louisville City FC’s lineup as he approaches 100 appearances in the Championship in his career. The California native’s two-way play – including some clutch finishes – was arguably the biggest reason the Toros remained in the picture for a third consecutive trip to the USL Championship Playoffs and earned All-League First Team despite his side falling short.

Davila’s +9.62 Goals Added mark graded out at fifth in the league according to American Soccer Analysis, comfortably the highest of any midfielder in the league. Now it will just be a question of how he acclimates to his new surroundings, but the chances are this will turn into one of the major signings of the offseason.