LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC announced on Wednesday it had transferred goalkeeper Oliver Semmle to the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer ahead of the 2024 season. Terms of the transfer agreement were not disclosed, and the transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Semmle spent one memorable season with LouCity, recording 12 shutouts in 31 regular season appearances to finish tied for the league lead while also setting a league record for shutouts by a rookie in the Championship’s regular season. The 25-year-old also posted one shutout in the postseason as LouCity advanced to the Eastern Conference Final of the USL Championship Playoffs for a ninth consecutive season.

“We are happy that Ollie has earned this opportunity with Philadelphia,” said LouCity Head Coach Danny Cruz. “Through his work with our goalkeepers coach, Scott Budnick, and in our environment we saw huge growth from the beginning of last season to the end. Our hope is that we can continue to show players before they arrive at Louisville City that this is a place where they will compete for trophies while pushing them to improve and reach their career goals.

“We want to thank Ollie for the year that he spent here, and we are looking forward to following his continued development in Philadelphia.”

A native of Au am Rhein, Germany, Semmle recorded 68 saves in the regular season and a goals-against average of 1.13. His successful rookie season followed a standout college career at Marshall University that saw him help the Thundering Herd claim the 2020 College Cup. He was selected with the No. 41 pick of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by the Colorado Rapids, from whom the Union have acquired Semmle’s MLS rights in a separate transaction.

“I appreciate the chance the club gave me, and I want to thank the coaching staff, front office and my teammates in Louisville,” said Semmle. “It’s been a great time here, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to take the next step with the Philadelphia Union, a team with a strong history in MLS. I’ll be keeping an eye on Louisville and can't wait to see the team lift a trophy next season.”

Analysis

Oliver Semmle joins the Philadelphia Union as the likely backup to longtime starter and Jamaican international Andre Blake after a sensational first professional season in which he played a key role in LouCity’s success. The 6-foot-3 shot-stopper commanded his penalty area impressively for the perennial contender, and now becomes the fourth player transferred to a club in Major League Soccer from a club in the USL Championship this offseason following the Charleston Battery duo of Trey Muse (Portland Timbers FC) and Fidel Barajas (Real Salt Lake) and Phoenix Rising FC’s Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United FC).

Semmle is also the second outgoing transfer from LouCity this offseason after Manny Perez’s sale to AC Horsens in Denmark, a sign of the platform both Louisville and the USL Championship offer players to progress their careers.

For LouCity, this move opens the door for Damian Las to become the presumptive starter for the 2024 season after his arrival on loan from Austin FC on Monday. The 21-year-old had a standout 2023 season for Austin FC II in which he recorded 12 shutouts – twice the number of his closest rival – to earn MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year honors and will now step up a level to continue his progression. Las should get competition from returning veteran Danny Faundez for the starting spot.