Louisville City FC has strengthened its back line with the signing of Spanish defender Ian Soler, it was announced Friday.
The deal, which is pending league and federation approval, secures a 26-year-old center back who most recently featured for first division Polish side Zagłębie Lubin. Soler will make his move to Louisville in the coming weeks upon receiving his work visa.
“Ian is a hungry player with experience playing in Europe at center back and holding midfield,” said LouCity coach Danny Cruz. “When bringing players in, we go through an extensive process using statistical data, video and player interviews. Ian checked all the boxes for what we are looking for in a Louisville City player.
“He is a hard-nosed defender who has a lot of quality with the ball at his feet. We are looking forward to having him here.”
A journeyman, Soler played across Europe since beginning his career in his home country as part of RCD Espanyol’s youth system. Two years were spent with England’s Fulham F.C., where he worked with the U-21s and U-23s, before embarking on a senior career in Spain.
Soler made most of his senior team appearances for Spain’s second division Atlético Malagueño (2017-2019) and Slovakia’s top-tier Zemplín Michalovce (2019-2021), where he also chipped in a pair of goals before his move to Poland.
Soler joins a dominant LouCity defensive core that allowed the USL Championship’s second-lowest expected goals allowed (1.05 per game) and total opposing shots (106) in 2021. Other center backs on the roster include All-League First Team performer Sean Totsch, Wes Charpie and Josh Wynder, a young local talent who turned professional last year out of the academy at age 16.
“I want to thank Coach Danny and the whole board of Louisville City,” Soler said. “They showed it’s a great family, the best place to keep improving, and we’re going to fight for everything. I can’t wait to start this new adventure.”
Cruz and his staff have assembled a 24-player roster as preparations continue for the 2022 season kicking off March 12 at Lynn Family Stadium with a 7:30 p.m. start against Atlanta United 2.
Before the 34-game campaign, a trio of preseason fixtures await. The boys in purple will complete a swing through Arizona by playing Saturday at USL Championship power Phoenix Rising FC before traveling to see Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (Feb. 26) and MLS Next Pro’s St. Louis City (March 5).
Current 2022 Louisville City FC Roster
Forwards: Jorge Gonzalez, Wilson Harris, Cameron Lancaster, Enoch “Matiti” Mushagalusa, Brian Ownby, Ray Serrano
Midfielders: Corben Bone, Tyler Gibson, Jay Tee Kamara, Napo Matsoso, Niall McCabe, Carlos Moguel Jr., Manny Perez, Paolo DelPiccolo, Elijah Wynder
Defenders: Wes Charpie, Owen Damm, Amadou Dia, Oscar Jimenez, Ian Soler, Sean Totsch, Josh Wynder
Goalkeepers: Kyle Morton, Parker Siegfried