COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - The Colorado Rapids announced today they have completed the permanent transfer of goalkeeper Marko Ilić from Belgian Pro League side KV Kortrijk on a two-and-half-year deal with club options for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
“We’re pleased to bring Marko to the club on a permanent basis,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “Marko is just entering his prime and has demonstrated the athleticism, shot-stopping abilities and technical quality we first identified when we brought him on loan and we’re delighted to secure his future with the club.”
Ilić, 25, first joined the Rapids on a six-month loan from Kortrijk ahead of the 2023 MLS season. During his initial spell with the club, Ilić made three regular-season starts, recording seven saves and a clean sheet across 270 minutes played. Ilić also started in three 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games for the Rapids, totaling 270 minutes and two wins.
Prior to joining the Rapids, Ilić spent his career in Europe, most recently in Belgium with Kortrijk. The 25-year-old goalkeeper logged 71 appearances across all competitions during his three seasons with De Kerels, recording 16 clean sheets in that span.
A native of Novi Sad, Serbia, Ilić began his professional career with Serbia’s Vojvodina at age 17 before joining fellow Serbian SuperLiga side Voždovac in 2018. He made 61 appearances across all competitions and logged 19 shutouts with Voždovac during his three seasons with the club.
At the international level, Ilić has represented Serbia in a friendly against Jamaica on June 7, 2021. Ilić has also represented Serbia at the youth level, making appearances for the U-17, U-19 and U-21 sides.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids acquire goalkeeper Marko Ilić from Belgian Pro League side KV Kortrijk on a two-and-a-half-year deal with club options for 2026 and 2027 on July 14, 2023.
