Louisville City FC has added more youth to its midfield with the signing of Emanuel “Manny” Perez, a 22-year-old who arrives by way of the Portland Timbers organization, the club announced Tuesday.
Perez made 10 appearances last season while on loan to Major League Soccer’s Austin FC. Heading into 2022, he inked a new permanent deal for LouCity pending league and federation approval.
“We are thrilled to be able to welcome Manny to the club,” said head coach Danny Cruz. “He’s a versatile player who we feel can play multiple positions for us. We will look to utilize him on the wings and at outside back this season. We have also seen him play at the wingback position and feel he has all the tools to be dangerous on both sides of the ball.”
A Garner, N.C., native, Perez played two collegiate seasons at NC State, where in 2017 he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Freshman of the Year, before turning professional in 2019 with powerhouse Celtic F.C. The Scottish club loaned him to then-USL Championship side North Carolina FC, where he numbered 1 goal and 5 assists over 37 appearances seasons until signing with the Timbers in 2021.
Perez has also featured as a U.S. youth international, earning caps at the U-18, U-20 and U-23 levels. He most notably tallied a goal and 2 assists in helping the red, white and blue win the 2018 Concacaf U-20 Championship.
“I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity,” Perez said of joining LouCity. “I want to leave a mark here at the club and give my best to the winning culture. I’m ready to get started and excited to meet this amazing fan base.”
Perez, who reported to camp amid the club’s preseason trip to Arizona, brings LouCity’s roster to 23 players. He’s eligible for selection in games this week set for Wednesday (vs. El Paso Locomotive FC) and Saturday (at Phoenix Rising FC) before the boys in purple return to town.
Preparations lead up to a 34-game USL Championship campaign kicking off March 12 at Lynn Family Stadium, where LouCity will host Atlanta United 2 in its opener.
Current 2022 Louisville City FC Roster
Forwards: Jorge Gonzalez, Wilson Harris, Cameron Lancaster, Enoch “Matiti” Mushagalusa, Brian Ownby, Ray Serrano
Midfielders: Corben Bone, Tyler Gibson, Jay Tee Kamara, Napo Matsoso, Niall McCabe, Carlos Moguel Jr., Manny Perez, Paolo DelPiccolo, Elijah Wynder
Defenders: Wes Charpie, Owen Damm, Amadou Dia, Oscar Jimenez, Sean Totsch, Josh Wynder
Goalkeepers: Kyle Morton, Parker Siegfried
