Colorado Rapids Acquire U.S. International Midfielder Djordje Mihailovic as Designated Player

January 8, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Colorado Rapids News Release

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids announced today that the club has signed midfielder Djordje Mihailovic from Netherland’s Alkmaar Zaanstreek to a four-year contract through 2027 with a club option through 2028, pending the completion of his medical. Mihailovic will occupy a Designated Player slot on the Rapids’ 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).

“Djordje is an exciting, skillful player with a proven track record of success in MLS and at the international level,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “We 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.”

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 for 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 Montréal in MLS. In 2021, he had 16 assists, setting a new club record for Montréal, previously held by Ignacio Piatti (13 in 2018). Named 2021 Club MVP, he helped CF Montréal win the 2021 Canadian Championship, in addition to playing a key role in the club’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.

“Djordje 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,” said Rapids Head Coach Chris Armas. “He has the personality and intensity needed to excel with our style of play.”

Prior to joining Montréal, 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.

At the international level, Mihailovic has featured 11 times for the U.S. Men’s National Team, including…