LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville City Football Club's most prolific goal scorer over the past three seasons is making a move to play top-flight soccer in Europe.
Forward Wilson Harris, 25, will play in Israel's first division with Maccabi Petah Tikva FC, LouCity confirmed in an announcement Friday. Harris also made his own announcement of the deal on Instagram as he makes the move during Europe's open transfer window.Â
A club source tells WDRB that Louisville City is receiving a six-figure transfer fee in exchange for Harris, who had a year left on his contract. He leaves the club ranking second on its all-time scoring list.
"We are grateful for the work Wilson put in throughout his time here at Louisville City," LouCity head coach Danny Cruz said. "We wanted Wilson to extend his time with us, but he felt that the opportunity to play in Israel was one he couldn’t pass up. Throughout the process, we had a valuation set for this move, and it was met. We wish Wilson the very best and look forward to seeing his career continue taking off."
Louisville City FC forward Wilson Harris celebrates scoring a goal against El Paso Locomotive on March 16, 2024. (Photo by Andres Acosta)
An All-League player in 2024, Harris ranked second in the USL Championship with 19 goals last season. He scored 43 league goals and made 91 regular season appearances over his Louisville career. The California native and former University of Louisville soccer commit bid farewell in an Instagram post.
"This club and this city took me in as one of their own from the very beginning," Harris wrote. "My time in Louisville has impacted me immensely. This club has made me a better player and person. I will not forget the great people I’ve met or the time I’ve spent here. Whenever I talk about Louisville, it’s only with the highest of praise."
One move LouCity made last season that should help keep its attack humming in 2025 was the trade for Phillip Goodrum. The 27-year-old scored four goals for Louisville after coming over from FC Tulsa. He previously led that club and Memphis 901 FC in goals as an All-League performer.
"Likewise, I'm excited about where our roster is heading into the 2025 season," Cruz said. "We will continue to evaluate, as we always do, what's needed to put the team in the best possible position to win a USL Championship title. I'm confident in the group we have assembled and am looking forward to getting started."
Louisville returns a majority of a team who set club scoring records in 2024 and also won the league's Players' Shield for finishing the regular season with the most points. The club hopes to avenge a disappointing postseason finish, one that saw LouCity fail to make the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in its history.
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