Philadelphia Union sign Serbian midfielder Jovan Lukić

Two days after announcing the sale of one midfielder, the Philadelphia Union announced the arrival of another with the arrival of 23-year-old Serbian Jovan Lukić’s becoming official.

Lukić was signed on a permanent deal from FK Spartak Subotica that is reportedly worth $600,000 euros ($621,780) and includes a 10 percent sell-on fee. His contract is for two years with club options for 2027 and 2028 and he will occupy an international spot on the roster.

“Jovan is a dynamic, ball-winning midfielder who fits well into our playing style,” Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said in a news release. “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.”

Lukic is the first Serbian to sign with the team since Veljko Paunovic – currently the manager of Tigres in Mexico – who made 18 appearances for the team during the 2011 season. The reported transfer fee puts Lukić at No. 10 in the Union’s all-time fees paid to acquire a player, according to Transfermarkt.

He signed a four-year contract with FK Spartak Subotica of the Serbian Super League, Serbia’s top tier, in September 2023, eight months after signing a contract but never featuring with LASK in Austria’s Bundesliga. He made 17 appearances on loan with SC Uniao Torreense of Portugal’s second league in 2023 prior to returning to Serbia.

Lukić began his career with FK Cukaricki of Serbia’s Super League for four seasons (2019-23), including Cukaricki’s U19 squad (2019-21). He collected three goals and three assists in 71 total appearances with FK Cukaricki and three goals and one assist in 26 total matches with Cukaricki U19. Lukic set a career high and ranked T-4th on FK Cukaricki during the 2021-22 season with 34 appearances. He was one of four players to appear in all 19 Cukaricki U19 matches in 2019-20 and ranked T-4th on the team in goals (2). He scored both goals on September 22, 2019 against Vojvodina U19.

Lukić represented Serbia on the U18, U19, U20 and U21 national teams from 2019-21, appearing in nine 2020 UEFA European U21 Championship tournament games and eight international friendly matches overall.

While not a direct replacement for the left-footed Jack McGlynn – who was sold to Houston Dynamo for $2.1 million – Lukić, whose right is listed as his dominant foot, appears to be a perfect fit for the style of play head coach Bradley Carnell wants to play while also providing some tactical flexibility. He’s played primarily as a central midfielder in his career but has also featured as a defensive or attacking midfielder and has played as both a right and left midfielder.

Lukić is the second player added from outside the organization this offseason, joining 23-year-old center back Ian Glavinovich, who is on loan from Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina. Tanner said previously he would be adding a player in each sector of the field other than goalkeeper so that would leave just a forward spot to be filled on the roster, which is currently at 27 players with all 7 international roster spots filled (their 8th international slot was traded to Nashville SC). The roster is limited to 30 players with a 31st spot allotted for a player on a season-long loan to a lower division club.

Lukic will be the first player since Stuart Findlay to wear the No. 4 shirt for the Union. Mark McKenzie, Ken Tribbett, Austin Berry, Bakarmy Soumary and Danny Califf previously wore the number.