Nikola Markovic (soccer)

Last updated

Nikola Markovic
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-07-24) July 24, 2004 (age 21)
Place of birth Gatineau, Québec, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
D.C. United
Youth career
FC Gatineau
CS des Collines
AS Gatineau
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2024–2025 NC State Wolfpack 39 (3)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2023–2024 CF Montréal U23 32 (2)
2025 Cedar Stars Rush 7 (0)
2026– D.C. United 0 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of December 19, 2025

Nikola Markovic (born July 22, 2004) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club D.C. United.

Contents

Early life

Markovic was born in Canada to Serbian parents. [1] During his youth, he played soccer with FC Gatineau, CS des Collines, and AS Gatineau. [2] When he was 12, he was offered a spot in the CF Montréal Academy, but his parents felt he was too young to move away from home, so he did not join. [2] He eventually joined the CF Montréal U23 program in 2023, following winning gold with Team Québec at the 2022 Canada Summer Games. [2] He spent some time training with the CF Montréal first team while in the U23 program. [3]

College career

In 2024, Markovic began attending North Carolina State University, where he played for the men's soccer team. [4] He made his debut on September 6, 2024, starting in a 2–1 victory over the California Golden Bears. [5] On November 21, 2024, he scored his first collegiate goal, scoring the winning goal in double overtime against the Charlotte 49ers in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament. [6] At the end of his freshman season, he was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team and the ACC Academic Honor Roll. [7] [4] At the end of his sophomore season, he was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-ACC First Team, All-South Region First Team, and a First Team All-American. [8] [9] [10] He was also named to the Best XI for the 2024 NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament [11] and was also a semi-finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. [12] [13]

Club career

In 2023, Markovic began playing at the senior level with CF Montréal U23 in Ligue1 Québec. [2] In 2025, Markovic played with Cedar Stars Rush in USL League Two. [11]

Ahead of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, he signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer, giving him a guarteened contract for the 2026 season. [14] [15] At the draft, he was selected first overall by D.C. United. [16] [17]

Career statistics

As of match played December 19, 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsNational cupLeague cupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
CF Montréal U23 2023 [18] Ligue1 Québec 20010210
2024 [18] 12000120
Total320000010330
Cedar Stars Rush 2025 [19] USL League Two 7070
Career total390000010400

References

  1. Lewis, Michael (December 18, 2025). "He's no. 1: D.C. United grabs Markovic as top choice in MLS SuperDraft". Front Row Soccer.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Comtois, Martin (February 24, 2023). "Un Gatinois frappe à la porte du CF Montréal" [A Gatineau native knocks on the door of CF Montréal]. Le Droit (in French).
  3. Davidson, Neil (November 29, 2025). "Canadian defender Nikola Markovic making mark with North Carolina State". Sportsnet .
  4. 1 2 "Nikola Markovic NC State profile". NC State Wolfpack .
  5. "Wolfpack Opens Conference Play with Win Over California". NC State Wolfpack . September 7, 2024.
  6. "Double OT Golden Goal Advances Wolfpack in NCAA Tournament". NC State Wolfpack . November 21, 2024.
  7. "Healy, Karamoko, Markovic Earn All-ACC Honors". NC State Wolfpack . November 14, 2024.
  8. "Men's Soccer Earns Three ACC Player of the Year Awards". NC State Wolfpack . November 12, 2025.
  9. "Four Members of the Pack Earn All-South Region Honors". NC State Wolfpack . December 9, 2025.
  10. "Erb, Markovic, and Phillip Claim All-America Honors". NC State Wolfpack . December 12, 2025.
  11. 1 2 "USL League Two Best XI of 2025 NCAA DI Tournament". USL League Two . November 20, 2025.
  12. "Canadians Markovic, Caldeira among 15 semifinalists for Hermann Trophy". TSN . December 9, 2025.
  13. "Markovic & Phillip Named as MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists". NC State Wolfpack . December 9, 2025.
  14. "Canadian defender Markovic expected to go high in MLS SuperDraft". TSN . December 17, 2025.
  15. Hindle, Tom (December 18, 2025). "'I've been pro for a long time' - MLS SuperDraft No. 1 pick Nikola Markovic embraces D.C. United challenge". Goal .
  16. Davidson, Neil (December 18, 2025). "Canadian defender Nikola Markovic selected 1st overall by D.C. United in MLS SuperDraft". CBC Sports .
  17. Booth, Chuck (December 18, 2025). "MLS SuperDraft results: Rebuilding D.C. United select Nikola Markovic out of NC State first overall". CBS Sports .
  18. 1 2 "Ligue1 Quebec Stats". Spordle.
  19. "USL2 Stats". USL League Two .