Louisville City FC added a proven USL Championship goal scorer to its attack with the signing of forward Adrien Perez, the club announced Wednesday.
The 28-year-old Perez, who played last season for San Diego Loyal SC, also brings four years of Major League Soccer experience to LouCity. His deal is pending league and federation approval.
“Adrien was one of our first targets on the board when the 2023 season came to an end,” said coach Danny Cruz. “He is a dynamic forward that can play multiple positions in the attack for us. After our interview with him this offseason, we felt that his mentality would be a great fit for our group. He is a competitor who wants to win on a daily basis, and that is something that has been an area of focus for us this offseason. I am excited to work with him, and we are happy that he chose Louisville as the next chapter in his career.”
From Ontario, California, Perez will make his move to Louisville after numbering 10 goals and 3 assists in 31 San Diego appearances last season. Prior to that, he played in the MLS ranks for Los Angeles FC (2019-2020) and D.C. United (2021-2022).
Perez came up through Loyola Marymount University, where he was named to the All-West Coast Conference First Team in 2013 and 2014. After school, he starred for the Major Arena Soccer League side Ontario Fury, scoring 20 goals in 10 games during his final season to catch LAFC’s attention.
Perez earned a contract after being invited to train with his hometown MLS side. He later went to D.C. United as part of the re-entry draft. The forward bounced back at San Diego Loyal after missing most of the 2022 campaign due to injury, with his season including a start in September when San Diego visited Louisville.
“It was pretty much a no-brainer for me,” Perez said of joining LouCity, especially after playing at Lynn Family Stadium. “It’s something where I thought, ‘Wow, it would be amazing to be on this field.’ I loved the crowd. I loved the environment of the city just being there for a few days.
“I’d say I’m very technical on the ball, and I’m just looking to make plays, to score goals, to change the game and help my teammates win any way I can. This past season was my best one yet, but there’s still more to come.”
Perez joins a core of 16 returning LouCity players and a pair of newcomers: former Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC defender Arturo Ordóñez and forward Tola Showunmi. More contract news will be announced soon in the run up to City’s 10th anniversary season kicking off in March.
Current 2024 Louisville City FC Roster
Forwards: Wilson Harris, Brian Ownby, Adrien Perez, Ray Serrano, Tola Showunmi
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
