Danielle Lerner

@Danielle_Lerner

Louisville City FC midfielder Andrew Lubahn announced Wednesday that he is leaving the club ahead of the 2017 season.

Lubahn first announced his departure in an Instagram post Wednesday afternoon. Along with a photo collage, he posted a lengthy caption thanking Louisville City players, coaches and fans.

Lubahn, who signed with Louisville City for the 2016 campaign, was a free agent following the season's end. Lubahn told the Courier-Journal on Thursday that he was still entertaining the option of staying with the club until a few days before Wednesday's announcement.

The Pennsylvania native wouldn't disclose exactly where his probable next destination is but said it is outside the United Soccer League.

"Nothing is official yet but I have some opportunities in the soccer world that I'm excited about and will hopefully be able to announce in the next two weeks or so," Lubahn said.

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Lubahn appeared in 29 games for Louisville City in the club's run to the USL Eastern Conference Final, including all three playoff games. The midfielder scored three goals and tallied one assist.

"One of main reasons I did decide to come (to Louisville City) was that I believed so much in Louisville and the project and James and the guys," he said. "So I'm not surprised we made it that far given the people that were going to be there. I am still disappointed we didn't get that trophy, though."

Lubahn's favorite game memory, however, came at the beginning of the season: Louisville City's victory at rival FC Cincinnati in which the visitors pulled out a 3-2 win while playing a man down thanks to Chandler Hoffman's hat trick.

Hoffman is one of seven players who departed Louisville City earlier this offseason, and Lubahn said the loss of some players did play a minor role in his own decision. Along with Lubahn, Louisville City also lost key midfield pieces Aodhan Quinn and Kadeem Dacres (both will sign with Cincinnati).

Teammates Lubahn said he especially enjoyed time with were his roommate Paolo DelPiccolo, who is returning for Louisville City this season, and former goalkeeper Scott Goodwin. Overall, Lubahn stressed that his decision to move on was one of personal ambition and does not discount the experience and improvements he made while with Louisville City.

"It was good to be in a different environment surrounded by different people with different approaches and personalities, so hopefully I can grow from that," he said.

Lubahn said he will be keeping an eye on the club from afar and holding out hope for a new stadium. He closed his farewell Instagram post with one final request, writing, "I'm excited for the next adventure, yet please do me one favor and beat @fccincinnati in the #dirtyriverderby #burnedfeetconspiracies #ripharambe."

The second hashtag is an homage to the sweltering July game at FC Cincinnati that left Lubahn with severe burns on his feet. The message is a reminder that even if Lubahn is no longer wearing purple and gold, he still stands in solidarity against the team Louisville City fans love to hate.

"I think I got the dig in," he said.

Reporter Danielle Lerner can be reached at dlerner@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4042.