Racing Louisville has signed midfielder Savannah DeMelo to a new contract through the 2027 season with a team option for 2028, the NWSL club announced Thursday, Oct. 1.
DeMelo has not played since suffering cardiac arrest during a match at the Seattle Reign in September 2025, but she will be available for selection on Saturday, Oct. 3 as Louisville faces the Utah Royals.
Last month, DeMelo filed a lawsuit against University of Louisville Health and two physicians for failing to properly diagnose a heart condition that led to her cardiac arrest.
Among the parties listed as a defendant in the lawsuit is Dr. Jennifer Daily, the chief medical officer for Racing Louisville. Daily is not a Racing Louisville employee, working for the NWSL team under its
contract with UofL Health.
According to a person familiar with the arrangement, Racing Louisville will not retain UofL Health as its medical partner next season. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the terms.
DeMelo's return and new deal is a major boost for Louisville. Since she was drafted, DeMelo has been one of the club's most vital players when healthy. She has 17 career NWSL goals along with eight assists, earning NWSL Best XI Second Team honors in 2023.
"I’m so excited to finally be returning to the field," DeMelo said in a club release. "I’ve worked incredibly hard to get to this point and can’t wait to get back to playing again. This place has been my home for the past five years, and I’m excited to keep building my roots that I have established here on and off the field."
DeMelo made her U.S. women's national team debut at the 2023 World Cup, playing in two matches at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. She has seven total caps, most recently appearing for the USWNT in December 2023."We are very excited for Sav to return and equally thrilled that she has chosen to continue her time in Louisville," Racing general manager Caitlyn Flores Milby said.
"I couldn’t imagine a Racing Louisville without Sav, with everything she has given to the club, especially for her to overcome what she has gone through over the last year. Her tenacity has been amazing to watch. We look forward to seeing her on the field soon and into the future."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Racing Louisville re-signs Savannah DeMelo amid lawsuit against team doctors
