LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC announced on Thursday it had signed center back Josh Jones to his first pro deal ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Jones joins LouCity having earned the 2024 USL League Two Defender of the Year award with Ocean City Nor’easters and completing a stellar four-year career at the University of Louisville. With the Cardinals, he was twice named to the All-ACC Third Team and helped the side reach three NCAA Tournaments.

“We are happy to keep Josh in Louisville after a very good college career here,” said LouCity Head Coach Danny Cruz. “John Michael [Hayden] and his staff at UofL know what a professional environment is all about, and they do a great job of preparing players for what the next level looks like.

“Going into the 2025 season, we wanted to bring more size and strength to the back line, and Josh certainly gives us that. He is a player that we have been following for multiple years now, and we believe that in him we have added another important piece to the roster. I am looking forward to having him with the group and pushing him in his development to be the best version of himself.”

Growing up near Philadelphia, Jones returned to the northeast in the summer to compete for the Nor’Easters during the USL League Two season. In addition to earning the league’s Defender of the Year award in 2024, he was also selected to the Team of the Year as he led the Nor’easters to a first-place finish in the Mid Atlantic Division.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to join such an historic club," Jones said. "The city of Louisville quickly became home over the past four years, and I can’t think of a better place to start my professional career. I’m looking forward to meeting all the fans and helping deliver a championship to Louisville.”

Jones is making the move from campus to Butchertown after a stellar collegiate career. In four years at UofL, he appeared in 69 games, starting 65. At 6-foot-5, the Pennsylvania native was a major threat on set pieces and played forward late in games when the Cardinals needed a goal. He scored 11 collegiate goals and added five assists over his career, including four game-winners.

After his junior season, Jones was selected 47th overall by Real Salt Lake in the MLS SuperDraft but returned to UofL for his senior year to captain the Cardinals. He reunites at LouCity with former UofL teammate Ryan Troutman, a goalkeeper for the boys in purple.