LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Savannah DeMelo, the star Racing Louisville FC and U.S. Women's National team midfielder who signed a contract extension this past offseason, will be staying a little longer.

The club announced Thursday that DeMelo has signed an extension, which includes updated financial terms, to stay with Louisville through the 2026 season.

The upgrade comes as the 25-year-old from Bellflower, California, is having a breakout campaign in NWSL play. After scoring four goals as a rookie, she has doubled that number already this season to go with three assists.

In being called up to the national team, where she started two World Cup games, she was the first American since 2003 to be placed on the USWNT roster without any prior national team appearances.

"I am so excited to be extending my contract here in Louisville," DeMelo said. "This was an easy decision on my end because of how much I love this team and city. I have built so many great connections both on and off the field, and I feel so honored to have the opportunity to continue to grow with this club and fight for trophies."

According to DeMelo, the club was proactive in making this extension happen. While she already knew she would be in a Louisville until 2025, adding an extra year with some new terms made her feel even more comfortable.

"It takes a weight off," DeMelo said. "And I think it's just honestly an honor to think that they want me for like that much longer. Even though I did have a lot of time, they're like, 'No, we want to secure you for an extra year.'

"I think that's kind of what I took from it: how much they believe in me, how much they want out of me."

DeMelo was the NWSL player of the month this past May and has twice been named to the league's Best XI monthly honor. She's been a key to Racing Louisville reaching the NWSL Challenge Cup semifinals.

"We're beyond excited to keep building our club's foundation with Savannah as one of our cornerstone players," Racing General Manager Ryan Dell said. "Savannah's development since coming to Louisville has truly been outstanding. We know she'll play a key role in driving our club to great new heights."

"I've said this before: Savannah's development has been amazing since she came to the club in 2022," Racing head coach Kim Björkegren said. "I'm so happy with her signing a new contract because it gives us stability and even more time for her to grow in her role. She is already one of the best 10s in the league, and she has the potential to be one of the best 10s in the world."

DeMelo, along with Brazilian star Ary Borges and team captain Jaelin Howell, helps give Racing Louisville one of the top midfield groups in the league. She leads the NWSL in fouls won (45), and is ninth in duels won, 10th in scoring chances created, 12th in shots on target and 24th in tackles won.

"We already played so well together," DeMelo said of Borges and Howell, who are under contract with Racing through 2025, as are Katie Lund, Lauren Milliet and Carson Pickett. "So I just know us playing together for that much longer is just going to keep improving our game.

"And what I was telling Ryan (Dell): Obviously, I want to stay here. But I want a good core group of people here too. And I think he's doing that. He's done a great job of making sure that core group and a lot of the girls are staying."

The California native is the biggest example of that. She said she is looking into getting a house to have more of a permanent home in Louisville, a city that was a needed change.

"I went to college in Los Angeles and lived in Long Beach my whole life," DeMelo said. "It's just a lot of people, they are just go, go, go. And I think just a change of pace living here has just been awesome.

"Anywhere I go, people are saying hi to me. People want to go above and beyond for you. And I just really like that sense of community here. And I love that we're the only professional team in the city."

Racing selected DeMelo out of USC with the No. 4 pick in last year's 2022 NWSL Draft. She started every match as a rookie and now has the club's longest-term contract. 

Racing Louisville returns to action at 5:30 p.m. Saturday against Gotham FC.

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