Louisville City FC and Wes Charpie have agreed to a new multi-year contract keeping the defender in purple, it was announced Wednesday.
Charpie’s deal, which pends league and federation approval, follows a 2023 campaign in which he started 27 games along the back line.
“Wes has played an important role for us, and we are grateful that he has chosen to sign a new contract,” said coach Danny Cruz. “Over the last two years, we have had one of the strongest defenses in the league from a data perspective, and Wes has played a big role in that. Wes understand the expectations of this club as well as the culture that has been set. We are happy to be able to get this done and are looking forward to continuing to strengthen the roster throughout the offseason.”
A versatile defender, the 30-year-old Charpie made the majority of his appearances at center back last season. But into the playoffs, he also featured at outside back as the boys in purple advanced to the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference Final for a ninth straight season.
Charpie ranked in the top three of City defenders in clearances (74), interceptions (25) and blocks (22).
“For me to be back on a multi-year deal with this club really means a lot to me,” Charpie said. “I was thinking the other day, when I first signed for Louisville I had really no clue how it was going to go. Coming in, I didn’t want to change anything. I wanted just to be a part of the culture and continue the winning success.
“I couldn’t ever have dreamed of doing this, and I’m super, super excited to be part of it all again. Each year comes with many new challenges. I really hope we can continue our success and win some new silverware.”
Charpie originally signed with LouCity ahead of the 2020 season after impressing in a preseason trial. He emerged the next year as a regular starter for one of the league’s best defenses as City allowed the second-fewest shots (106) and expected goals against (1.05) in the USL Championship.
From Tarpon Springs, Fla., Charpie played collegiately at the University of South Florida before going to Toronto FC in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. He also made stops in the USL Championship at Saint Louis FC and Memphis 901 FC before joining the boys in purple.
Charpie marks LouCity’s 16th returning player, with that core complemented by the club’s first offseason signing, USL Championship Defender of the Year Arturo Ordóñez. More contract news will be announced soon in the run up to City’s 10th anniversary season.
Current 2024 Louisville City FC Roster
Forwards: Wilson Harris, Brian Ownby, Ray Serrano
Midfielders: Jorge Gonzalez, Dylan Mares, Niall McCabe, Carlos Moguel Jr., Elijah Wynder
Defenders: Kyle Adams, Wes Charpie, Owen Damm, Amadou Dia, Arturo Ordóñez, Sebastian Sanchez, Sean Totsch
Goalkeepers: Danny Faundez, Oliver Semmle