LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC announced on Wednesday it had added Hayden Stamps as a USL Academy signing for the 2025 USL Championship season, marking the second consecutive campaign in which the 17-year-old defender will be part of the First Team.

A former All-State performer at Kentucky Country Day, Stamps took up soccer full time last year while continuing his education online. He made his LouCity debut in a March victory against Birmingham Legion FC and also appeared in City’s friendly victory over Cancún FC in September.

“We are glad to re-sign Hayden to an academy contract,” said LouCity Head Coach Danny Cruz. “We take pride in the development of our young players that come through the academy, and I have enjoyed working with Hayden. I am looking forward to watching him continue his growth both on and off the field.”

Before earning his first USL Academy contract, Stamps led KCD with 20 goals and registered six assists in the fall of 2023. Upon joining the LouCity First Team, he often took advantage of a new USL Championship rule in 2024 allowing home clubs two extra spots on their bench for players under age 17. Stamps dressed 17 times for league games.

This past offseason, Stamps competed in December at the prestigious Elite Clubs National League’s National Selection Game in South Carolina. The defender secured his place among 37 other youth talents after being named the ECNL U16 Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year for the 2023-2024 campaign with his LouCity Academy team.

Stamps was also one of two LouCity Academy players to earn the ECNL’s Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year honors in August along with Grayson Travis.

"To fall short in the playoffs last year after an incredible regular season left us all with a fire to come back even better," Stamps said. "I can’t wait to be part of another team here. Year in and year out the culture and standards that we as an organization set really show why we are who we are. I am extremely excited to return."