LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC announced on Thursday the club had signed Jabari Rasheed to a USL Academy contract for the remainder of the 2023 USL Championship season. The defender will be available for selection in LouCity’s game on Saturday night against Las Vegas Lights FC at Lynn Family Stadium.

USL Academy contracts allow young talents to train with and play for a professional team while retaining their NCAA eligibility. A rising North Hardin High School senior, Rasheed saw minutes in Wednesday's international friendly against Germany's FC Kaiserslautern and will provide needed depth due to injuries in the squad as LouCity prepares for Saturday’s 8 p.m. kickoff.

“I’m so grateful to [LouCity Head Coach] Danny Cruz for this opportunity and the team for pushing to be able to accomplish this,” said Rasheed. “I’m ready to keep working!”

From Elizabethtown, Ky., Rasheed committed to the University of Kentucky in April, days after helping the LouCity Academy win the prestigious Dallas Cup’s U19 title. In addition to academy duties, Rasheed boasts ample experience playing alongside the club’s pros, including preseason minutes against Major League Soccer clubs such as Nashville SC and Austin FC.

A First Team All-State selection, Rasheed was named by his hometown newspaper, The News-Enterprise, Area Defensive Player of the Year. North Hardin and Rasheed advanced to the 5th Region Tournament final. Rasheed also kicks for his school’s football team.

The defender joins Issac Cano (Paul Laurence Dunbar), Colin Elder (Bullitt East), Alex Kron (St. Xavier) and Travis Smith (duPont Manual) from LouCity’s youth system currently active on USL Academy contracts in the First Team roster. It’s a path forged previously by five players who turned into City pros: Owen Damm, Carlos Moguel Jr., Sebastian Sanchez and brothers Elijah and Josh Wynder.