LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two-time USL Championship All-League selection Paco Craig will return to Louisville City FC for the 2019 season after the defending USL Cup champion announced the English defender had re-signed with the club for his fourth season in the Derby City.

Craig has made 79 appearances across the Championship’s regular season and USL Cup Playoffs over the past three seasons and recorded a career-high 36 appearances in the 2018 campaign. The 26-year-old led LouCity in interceptions (72), clearances (208), duels won (254) and aerial duels won (140) last season, earning his second consecutive All-League First Team honor while being nominated as a finalist for the USL Championship Defender of the Year award.

“Having the opportunity to represent the club again is extremely exciting for me as, along with my teammates, we have been able to make history and build a really successful team,” said Craig. “Being able to build on top of that a chance to create even more history is a very tantalizing prospect.”

Prior to joining Louisville for his first professional season in 2016, Craig had a standout collegiate career at Young Harris College where he was named the Peach Belt Conference’s Player of the Year in his junior season, following which he elected to turn professional with LouCity. He was also a standout in USL League Two, where in 2014 and 2015 he helped the Ocala Stampede claim the Southern Conference championship and earned All-Southern Conference honors in the 2015 season.

“It is great to have Paco back because he is so important to this team both on and off the field. While his performances on the field have earned him well-deserved league recognition, the intangibles he brings to our group cannot be overstated. Specifically, his willingness to learn, his competitiveness, and his leadership were – and will be – welcomed back in our locker room.

“In my humble opinion, Paco’s return will help us tremendously as we look to defend the Cup again.”

Craig is the 17th player from LouCity’s 2018 USL Cup-winning side that will remain with the club for the new Championship season.