LOUISVILLE – (Sept. 23, 2019) – The Louisville City Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of Muamer Ugarak to an Academy Agreement, marking the club’s second signed player in the development program.
“We are excited to add a young, talented goalkeeper like Mu to our locker room,” Louisville City FC coach John Hackworth said. “We believe this gives him an opportunity to develop in our competitive culture and will ultimately help him grow in a professional environment.”
Ugarak is originally from Bosnia. His family moved to America when he was 12, and Ugarak played with local clubs for a year and a half and then worked with DC United’s Academy program.
“We’re excited to sign Mu to an Academy Agreement. He’s a bright young talent,” Louisville City goalkeepers coach Scott Budnick said. “He has good technique, he’s good with his feet and he has a great attitude. We are happy that he’ll be a part of our club.”
Ugarak knows Louisville City’s first signee, Elijah Wynder, well. Wynder, of Louisville’s Ohio Elite-KY Academy and Louisville Collegiate School, signed with Louisville City FC back in June. Wynder has appeared in the 18 for Louisville City three times this season including an appearance during Louisville City’s U.S. Open Cup run.
“This means the world to me,” Ugarak said. “This has become home to me. My family and I moved here five years ago, and we have supported Louisville City ever since we came here. It just means that Coach Hackworth, Coach Danny (Cruz), Coach Mario (Sanchez) and Coach (Scott) Budnick trust me, and that means a lot to me at such a young age.”
Ugarak will train with Louisville City FC’s Academy workouts this winter. Pending League & Federation approval, Ugarak will be eligible to be added to Louisville City’s roster for upcoming USL Championship matches for the remainder of the season.
“We’re excited to bring another local product into the Louisville City fold,” Louisville City Director of Youth Development Mario Sanchez said. “We are looking forward to his development and hopefully one day he’ll be able to represent the first team.”
Ugarak, who said his dream is to be a professional soccer player, said Louisville City’s interest in him as a prospect is motivating for him.
“It motivates me and gives me something to work for,” Ugarak said. “They saw the potential in me, and that motivates me to want to get better to prove them right.”
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Muamer: MOO-ah-mer
Ugarak: OO-gah-rek
ABOUT LOUISVILLE CITY FC
Since its launch in 2014, Louisville City FC has been committed to serving the community of Louisville and state of Kentucky as the lone professional soccer team. Finishing in the top five in average attendance in the USL at Slugger Field since 2015, LouCity’s remarkable 2017 campaign included winning the USL Cup in the club’s first appearance in the final. Despite a midseason coaching change, Louisville City won its second USL Cup, becoming the first back-to-back USL Cup winner in the USL modern era. Get the latest news on Louisville City FC at LouisvilleCityFC.com and via the club’s channels on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.
