LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Oliver Semmle is on the move again following his loan from the Union to North Carolina FC of the USL Championship this past August. The 27 year old German international will remain in the Championship, joining Lexington SC on a multi-year deal, the club announced Tuesday.

News of Semmle’s signing was first reported Monday by José Nuñez as part of Lexington’s aggressive offseason roster build after finishing ninth in the Western Conference in 2025. The club lost four of its final five matches and finished one point shy of the playoffs. Head coach Masaki Hemmi’s push to not only return to the postseason but contend league-wide has been reflected in several notable offseason moves.

Those moves to date include the signing of four time USL Championship All-League First Team midfielder Aaron Molloy from the Charleston Battery, the return of midfield mainstay Nick Firmino, and, on Monday, the announcement of a blockbuster deal with Louisville City for star striker Phillip Goodrum, who has amassed 59 goals and 14 assists over the last four seasons.

Semmle shared his excitement about joining Lexington SC in the club’s press release.

“I’m very excited to join Lexington and be part of an exciting project that is clearly moving in the right direction,” Semmle said. “There is a lot of quality in the squad with great players and strong new signings, and I’m looking forward to getting started and contributing.”

After going out on loan in August, Semmle appeared in 13 matches for North Carolina, allowing 15 goals while recording five clean sheets and helping the club reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Following the season, Philadelphia declined his 2026 club option, and North Carolina FC announced it would cease operations for the 2026 season to focus on positioning the club for Division One, leaving Semmle a free agent in search of a new home.

Semmle originally signed with the Union on Jan. 31, 2024, and made his club debut on Feb. 24, 2024, against Chicago Fire FC. Across 17 appearances (15 starts) with Philadelphia, he recorded 15 saves, posted a 64.6% save percentage, and registered four clean sheets.

In 2025, his minutes came with Union II, where he made five appearances, recorded one clean sheet, and posted a 70.6% save percentage before heading to North Carolina.

Now with a new home in Lexington, Semmle will reunite with former Union forward Marcus Epps and Union II goalkeeper Brooks Thompson as the club opens its 2026 season on March 6, hosting Louisville City.

Main article photo credit: Philadelphia Union