Midfielder Savannah DeMelo has agreed to a contract extension with Racing Louisville through 2027, with a club option for 2028, the team announced Thursday.
DeMelo last appeared for Racing more than a year ago when she collapsed on the pitch during a match, forcing the game to be abandoned. On the anniversary of that incident last month, DeMelo shared that she “collapsed due to an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia, that caused (her) to go into cardiac arrest.”
“I’m so excited to finally be returning to the field,” DeMelo said in the team’s announcement. “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.”
Last month, DeMelo sued University of Louisville Health and two of its doctors, alleging they failed to properly diagnose and treat her existing cardiac condition. The University of Louisville Health partnered with Racing, and one of the doctors named in the suit, Jennifer Daily, served as the club’s chief medical officer. A source briefed on DeMelo’s lawsuit, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the legal situation, confirmed to The Athletic in September that the club (and Louisville City FC, which has the same ownership group) will have a new medical provider next year.
“We are so excited to have Sav back with us,” Racing head coach Bev Yanez said in the announcement. “This is such an exciting time for her, and she has worked incredibly hard. Her positive outlook and approach throughout the process have been so impressive. We are thrilled to have her back in the environment and can’t wait to see her continue to grow and contribute to the group.”
DeMelo will be available for selection this weekend, with Louisville set to face the Utah Royals on Saturday afternoon at home. While Louisville has already been eliminated from playoff contention, DeMelo’s return to the field will be one of the team’s most significant moments of the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Racing Louisville FC, NWSL
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