
Forward Showunmi Returns to LouCity in Transfer from English Club
Published on January 23, 2026 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Louisville City FC News Release
Louisville City FC has re-acquired 25-year-old forward Tola Showunmi in a transfer from England's Crawley Town FC.
Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed. Showunmi signed a contract with LouCity through the 2027 season.
Showunmi played with LouCity in 2024, scoring two goals in ten appearances, including one start. He made the move from Louisville to Crawley Town in August 2024.
"I'm really excited to be back in Louisville for the 2026 season," Showunmi said. "Even in the short time I was here before, I developed a deep appreciation for the city, the organization, and the fans. I can't wait to contribute to the team and help us accomplish all of our goals this season."
Showunmi made 13 starts in 29 appearances for Crawley Town, scoring six goals and registering one assist, across all competitions. He was a regular for the club in its 2024-25 campaign, which resulted in relegation from England's League One, the English third division.
This season, Showunmi made two appearances in fourth-division League Two for Crawley Town, both off the bench in August.
"We have continued to follow Tola since he left for Crawley and are eager to get him back to Louisville," LouCity head coach Danny Cruz said. "He has continued to develop throughout his time in England and we feel he will be a great fit to our current group of players. I am excited to have him back and look forward to seeing him back in purple."
A native of London, England, Showunmi moved stateside for college. He starred first at Merrimack College in Massachusetts before transferring to the University of New Hampshire, where he was the America East Conference Striker of the Year in 2021 and a Third-Team United Soccer Coaches All-American.
Atlanta United FC selected Showunmi in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, 88th overall, but he returned to school for a final collegiate season.
He became a professional with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Championship in 2023, after emerging from a preseason combine and trial. He made 28 appearances for the Riverhounds' USL Championship Players' Shield-winning team that season, scoring four goals and tallying three assists.
In England, Showunmi spent his youth career with Boreham Wood FC and Cheshunt FC.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from January 23, 2026
- Birmingham Legion FC Sign Bryce Washington for 2026 USL Championship Season - Birmingham Legion FC
- Hartford Athletic Adds Towering, Big-Game Goalkeeper Enzo Carvalho to Fortify the Back Line in 2026 - Hartford Athletic
- Rowdies Draw 2-2 with New York City FC in Preseason Opener - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Sporting Club Jacksonville Announces Performance and Recovery HQ Partnership with EPIC Soccer Academy - Sporting Club Jacksonville
- Centreville Bank Stadium to Host Second-Annual Job Fair on Tuesday, February 3 - Rhode Island FC
- Hartford Athletic Adds Proven Goal-Scoring Midfielder Barry Coffey to Ignite the Attack in 2026 - Hartford Athletic
- Monterey Bay Signs USL Veteran Midfielder Nick Ross Heading into the 2026 Campaign - Monterey Bay FC
- Forward Showunmi Returns to LouCity in Transfer from English Club - Louisville City FC
- Daniel Bruce Named Assistant Coach for New Mexico United Ahead of 2026 Season - New Mexico United
- Ben Barjolo Transferred to Portland Timbers II - Orange County SC
- Hounds Announce Hummel as New Kit, Apparel Provider - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- San Antonio FC Acquires Tiago Suarez on Loan from New England Revolution - San Antonio FC
- Sporting JAX Adds Three Former Teammates - Sporting Club Jacksonville
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Louisville City FC Stories
- LouCity Opens on the Front Foot in Narrow Preseason Loss at Austin FC
- LouCity Brings in MLS Midfielder Niang on Loan
- LouCity to Host Local Club in U.S. Open Cup Opener
- Forward Showunmi Returns to LouCity in Transfer from English Club
- LouCity Kicks off Preseason with MLS, USL Opponents on Deck


