Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids acquire U.S. international midfielder Djordje Mihailovic as Designated Player

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COMMERCE CITY, Colo. ā€”Ā The Colorado Rapids announced today that the club has signed midfielder Djordje Mihailovic from Netherlandā€™s Alkmaar Zaanstreek to a four-year contract through 2027 with a club option through 2028, pending the completion of his medical.Ā Mihailovic will occupy a Designated Player slot on the Rapidsā€™ roster. In order to sign Mihailovic, Colorado first acquired his discovery priority from FC Cincinnati in exchange for $75,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money (GAM).Ā 

ā€œDjordje is an exciting, skillful player with a proven track record of success in MLS and at the international level,ā€ said Colorado Rapids President PĆ”draig Smith. ā€œWe are incredibly excited to welcome a player of his caliber and experience to Colorado. Djordje is entering his prime years, and we eagerly anticipate the intensity and boldness he brings, which will undoubtedly make us a more dangerous group.ā€

Mihailovic, 25, joins the Rapids from Alkmaar Zaanstreek of the Dutch Eredivisie where he spent the previous season and recorded two goals and two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions forĀ De Kaasboeren. Prior to his time in the Netherlands, Mihailovic played 61 regular-season games, including 57 starts and 4,815 minutes in two seasons with CF MontrĆ©alĀ in MLS. In 2021, he had 16 assists, setting a new club record for MontrĆ©al, previously held byĀ IgnacioĀ Piatti (13 in 2018). Named 2021 Club MVP, he helped CF MontrĆ©al win the 2021 Canadian Championship, in addition to playing a key role in theĀ clubā€™s run to the quarterfinals of the 2022 Concacaf Champions League, where he scored a goal and an assist in four games against Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul of Liga MX.

ā€œDjordje is a top signing, and this addition is a big statement from our club. His competitive nature and play making ability will immediately make us better as well as help us score goals,ā€ said Rapids Head Coach Chris Armas.Ā ā€œHe has the personality and intensity needed to excel with our style of play.ā€

Prior to joining MontrĆ©al, Mihailovic spent four seasons with the Chicago Fire. During his time there, he played 73 games, including 45 starts in the regular season for a total of 3,933 minutes of play, seven goals and 15 assists. Mihailovic was signed as a Homegrown Player from the Chicago Fire Academy in January 2017.Ā 

At the international level, Mihailovic has featured 11 times for the U.S.Ā Menā€™sĀ NationalĀ Team, including two games at the 2019Ā ConcacafĀ Gold Cup and five games at the 2023 Gold Cup. He scored his first goal with the senior side on January 28, 2019, in a friendly against Panama. Most recently, he was called up for the Concacaf Nations League matches in March of 2023, where he recordedĀ twoĀ goals andĀ twoĀ assists in the USMNTā€™s 6-0 victory over St. Kitts and Nevis on June 29, 2023.

TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids sign midfielder Djordje Mihailovic from Alkmaar Zaanstreek to a four-year contract through the 2027 season, with a club option for an additional year, afterĀ acquiring his discovery priority from FC Cincinnati in exchange for $75,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money (GAM), on Jan. 8,Ā 2024.

Djordje MihailovicĀ 
Pronunciation:Ā Jor-gee Me-Hi-Lo-Vich

Position:Ā Midfielder
Height:Ā 5-10
Weight:Ā 153
Birthdate:Ā Nov. 10, 1998
Birthplace:Ā Jacksonville, FL
Nationality:Ā United States