Chester – The Philadelphia Union announced today the acquisition of Serbian midfielder Jovan Lukic to a contract to bolster their midfield as the club prepares for the 2025 season, which begins on February 22 in Orlando.
News of Lukic’s potential signing was first reported by José Nuñez last Saturday morning and later followed up by Tom Bogert. The club officially announced the move today. According to details released by the club, the permanent transfer runs through 2026, with club options for 2027 and 2028. Lukic will be added to the Union’s active roster upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 visa and will occupy an international roster slot.
Lukic, 23, played for FC Spartak Subotica in the Serbian SuperLiga before arriving in Philadelphia. This season, he logged 1,246 minutes in 16 appearances, completing 80% of his passes and averaging 2.0 interceptions and 2.9 tackles per game. He tied for third in goals with two in the 2023-24 season.
“Jovan is a dynamic, ball-winning midfielder who fits well into our playing style,” Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner said. “His experience across European leagues has not only showcased his versatility but also his ability to adapt to different styles of play, and we are confident his skill set will bolster our midfield.”
Before his time at FC Spartak Subotica, Lukic was sold from Serbian club Čukarički to LASK but never found a permanent home, eventually returning to Serbia.
For fans wondering what the Union could be getting in Jovan Lukic, I recommend checking out Mark Kelkenberg’s YouTube channel, where he breaks down some of the player’s skill sets.
Internationally, Lukic has appeared in 14 matches for Serbia’s youth national teams, most recently playing 90 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to Northern Ireland on March 26, 2024.
We discussed Lukic’s signing on our podcast with Todd Lewis of The Free Kick Podcast. Todd also discussed the signing with Mark and Jose on his podcast. You can find those full episodes above.
Time will tell how Lukic fits into Carnell’s system, but the Union are addressing a real need heading into the season.
Main article photo credit: Starsport/Srdjan Stevanovic
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