LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington SC announced on Tuesday it had signed goalkeeper Oliver Semmle to a multi-year contract ahead of the 2026 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Semmle joins Lexington having most recently competed on loan with North Carolina FC in the USL Championship in the second half of the 2025 campaign. The German shot-stopper recorded a save percentage of 68.1 percent across 13 appearances in the regular season and playoffs, recording five shutouts while recording 32 saves and posting a 1.15 goal-against average.

“I’m very excited to join Lexington and be part of an exciting project that is clearly moving in the right direction,” said Semmle. “There is a lot of quality in the squad with great players and strong new signings, and I’m looking forward to getting started and contributing.”

Semmle joined North Carolina on loan from the Philadelphia Union where he had logged 17 appearances in MLS during the 2024 campaign. Semmle recorded 53 saves and a save percentage of 64.6 percent for the Union while recording four shutouts and a 1.85 goals-against average. He also made one appearance for the Union in the Concacaf Champions Cup, and seven in MLS NEXT Pro for the Philadelphia Union II.

The 27-year-old was initially drafted with the 41st selection of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by the Colorado Rapids out of Marshall University, but Semmle instead inked his first professional contract with Louisville City FC in the USL Championship. He started 34 matches for LouCity across the regular season and playoffs, posting a save percentage of 65.4 percent and 13 shutouts while recording a 1.11 goals-against average.