Luka Ilić

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Luka Ilić
Ilić in 2024
Personal information
Full name Luka Ilić
Date of birth (1999-07-02) 2 July 1999 (age 26)
Place of birth Niš, FR Yugoslavia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Oviedo
Number 21
Youth career
2006–2008 Filip Filipović
2008–2014 Real Niš
2014–2017 Red Star Belgrade
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Red Star Belgrade 0 (0)
2017–2022 Manchester City 0 (0)
2017–2018 → Red Star Belgrade (loan) 14 (2)
2018–2020 → NAC (loan) 41 (7)
2020–2021 → Twente (loan) 29 (2)
2022–2024 Troyes 19 (5)
2022–2023 → TSC (loan) 25 (6)
2024–2025 Red Star Belgrade 34 (12)
2025– Oviedo 0 (0)
International career‡
2016 Serbia U17 5 (1)
2015–2016 Serbia U18 1 (0)
2017–2018 Serbia U19 5 (1)
2017–2020 Serbia U21 12 (3)
2023– Serbia 1 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 24 May 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 26 January 2023

Luka Ilić (Serbian Cyrillic: Лука Илић; born 2 July 1999) is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for La Liga club Real Oviedo.[2]

Club career

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Red Star Belgrade

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Ilić started playing football with local football club Filip Filipović at the age of seven, along with his younger brother Ivan.[citation needed] Ilić later played with football club Real Niš until 2014, after which he joined Red Star Belgrade.[3] He joined the first team in for the 2016–17 season under coach Miodrag Božović,[4] making his senior debut for the team in a friendly match against Ludogorets Razgrad on 14 November 2015.[5]

Ilić signed his professional contract with Red Star Belgrade in February 2016.[6] During the 2017 summer pre-season, Ilić presented as one of the top ten club's youth prospects.[7] He made his official debut for the club on 6 July 2017, replacing Slavoljub Srnić in second leg of the first qualifying round for 2017–18 UEFA Europa League against Floriana.[8] Several days later, Red Star Belgrade accepted an offer from the English club Manchester City and Ilić had been sold for a €5 million net fee along with his younger brother, Ivan.[9][10]

Within the arrangement, Ilić returned to Red Star Belgrade on a one-year loan.[11][12] He made his Serbian SuperLiga debut on 13 August 2017, replacing Nemanja Milić in the match against OFK Bačka.[13] Ilić scored his first senior goal in 4–0 victory against Mačva Šabac on 14 October 2017.[14]

Playing in the Netherlands

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Ilić signed for Dutch club NAC Breda on loan for the 2018–19 season.[15] On 3 August 2019, it was announced that he would spend another year on loan at NAC despite their relegation.[16]

Ilić was announced as a FC Twente loan signing on transfer deadline day for the 2020–21 season.[17] On 8 July 2021, it was announced he would spend another year on loan at the club.[18] After making only five appearances, it was announced that he would not continue playing with the club after the winter break, cutting his loan spell short and returning to his parent club.[19]

Troyes and Oviedo

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In January 2022, Ilić made a permanent transfer to French club Troyes with contract until summer 2024.[2] On 18 July 2025, after one year back in Red Star Belgrade, he joined Spanish La Liga club Real Oviedo on a three-year contract.[20]

Style of play

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As a left-footed player, Ilić performed at all position in midfield through the youth career. In early years of playing football, he usually performed more offensive as a second striker or attacking midfielder.[21] Joining the youth team of Red Star Belgrade, he converted his position – playing as right-side central midfielder, and later as a defensive midfielder with a box-to-box role – being paired with his brother.[22] Ilić is characterized by lucidity and great performances face to face game against the opponent.[23] Ilić is also free-kick taker.[24]

Personal life

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Born in Niš, Ilić grew up in a sports family. His father, Srđan, played as a winger in Radnički Niš. His mother, Danijela Ilić, played basketball at professional level. Ilić's younger brother, Ivan is also a professional footballer.[22]

International career

[edit]

On 25 January 2023, Ilić debuted for the Serbia in a 2–1 friendly victory against United States, in which he also scored his first international goal.[25]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 24 May 2025[26]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Red Star Belgrade 2016–17[27] Serbian SuperLiga 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Red Star Belgrade (loan) 2017–18[28] Serbian SuperLiga 14 2 2 0 1[b] 0 17 2
NAC Breda (loan) 2018–19 Eredivisie 16 2 1 0 — 17 2
2019–20 Eerste Divisie 25 5 3 0 — 28 5
Total 41 7 4 0 — 45 7
FC Twente (loan) 2020–21 Eredivisie 24 2 0 0 — 24 2
2021–22 5 0 0 0 — 5 0
Total 29 2 0 0 — 29 2
Troyes 2021–22 Ligue 1 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2022–23 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2023–24 Ligue 2 19 5 1 0 — 20 5
Total 19 5 1 0 — 20 5
TSC (loan) 2022–23 Serbian SuperLiga 25 6 4 2 — 29 8
Red Star Belgrade 2024–25 Serbian SuperLiga 34 12 4 2 7[c] 0 45 14
Real Oviedo 2025–26 La Liga 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Career total 162 34 15 4 8 0 184 38
  1. ^ Includes Serbian Cup, KNVB Cup, Coupe de France
  2. ^ Ilić made an appearance against Floriana before rejoined the club as a loaned player[8]
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

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As of January 26, 2023
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Serbia 2023 1 1
Total 1 1
Scores and results list the Serbia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ilić's goal.
List of international goals scored by Luka Ilić
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 January 25, 2023 BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, United States 1  United States 1–1 2–1 Friendly

Honours

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Red Star Belgrade

Individual

References

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  1. ^ Лука Илић 2023 [Luka Ilić]. Red Star Belgrade. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Luka Ilic rejoint l'ESTAC !". Troyes (in French). Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  3. ^ Звездини бисери - Браћа Илић. Red Star Belgrade (in Serbian). 31 March 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  4. ^ Одржана летња "прозивка". Red Star Belgrade (in Serbian). 13 July 2016. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  5. ^ "Luka Ilić za Butasport.rs: Nisam spavao od uzbuđenja noć pred utakmicu sa Bugarima". butasport.rs (in Serbian). 15 November 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Kadet, omladinac, prvotimac: Sve za par meseci!". mondo.rs (in Serbian). 26 February 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Predstavlja Top 10 Zvezdinih klinaca za budućnost". Alo! (in Serbian). 31 May 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Debitovao za Zvezdu Luka Ilić: Ostvario sam san, ovo je podsticaj da nastavim da radim". Blic (in Serbian). 8 July 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  9. ^ "Manchester City make €5.5m bid for Red Star Belgrade brothers Luka and Ivan Ilić". MCFC Watch (in Serbian). 10 July 2017. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Detalji transfera braće Ilić u Mančester Siti!". Mozzart Sport (in Serbian). 16 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  11. ^ ""Fudbal", vanredni broj 13/17" (PDF) (in Serbian). Football Association of Serbia. 10 August 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  12. ^ Терзић: Звездаши, будите поносни. Red Star Belgrade (in Serbian). 7 August 2017. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Rutina Zvezdinih rezervista pred Krasnodar: Dva prvenca u crveno-belom dresu, ali je Čeković skinuo magiju s Borjanovog gola (Video)". Mozzart Sport (in Serbian). 13 August 2017. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  14. ^ Лука Илић - Пресрећан сам!. Red Star Belgrade (in Serbian). 14 October 2017. Archived from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  15. ^ "NAC huurt Ilić officieel van Manchester City" [NAC officially rents Ilić from Manchester City]. NAC Breda (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  16. ^ "NAC presenteert drie nieuwe aanwinsten" [NAC presents three new acquisitions]. Voetbal247 (in Dutch). 3 August 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Luka Ilic To FC Twente" (in Dutch). FC Twente. Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  18. ^ "Twente loan Man City youngster again". Football Oranje (in Dutch). 8 July 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  19. ^ ten Voorde, Leon (21 December 2021). "FC Twente Houdt Hand op De Knip na Vertrek van Ilic: Middenvelder Keert in 2022" [FC Twente keeps a close eye on Ilić's departure: midfielder will not return in 2022]. Tubantia (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  20. ^ "Luka Ilić, nuevo jugador del Real Oviedo" [Luka Ilić, new player of Real Oviedo]. Real Oviedo (in Spanish). 18 July 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  21. ^ "Zvezda veruje u decu: 16 potpisa na "Marakani"!". mondo.rs (in Serbian). 10 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  22. ^ a b Лука и Иван Илић предводе нови талас талената: Живимо за фудбал и Звездин дрес!. Večernje novosti (in Serbian). 7 April 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  23. ^ "Zvezda ima novo blago: Tamo gde stane Grujić nastaviće Luka Ilić! (Video)". Mozzart Sport (in Serbian). 18 November 2015. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  24. ^ "Velika nervoza, dva crvena kartona i bezbolan poraz Orlića". Mozzart Sport (in Serbian). 10 October 2017. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  25. ^ Србија Боља Од Америке. FSV Info (in Serbian). 26 January 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  26. ^ a b Luka Ilić at Soccerway
  27. ^ "Luka Ilić | Sezone 2016–17". Serbian SuperLiga (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  28. ^ "Luka Ilić | Sezone 2017–18". Serbian SuperLiga (in Serbian). Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  29. ^ "We are the champions - again!". Red Star Belgrade. 6 April 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  30. ^ "Idealni tim Mozzart Bet Superlige: Petorica iz Zvezde, trojica iz TSC-a". Mozzart Sport (in Serbian). 2 June 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  31. ^ "Najbolji igrač 12. kola Mozzart Bet Super lige Srbije – Luka Ilić". Serbian SuprLiga (in Serbian). 22 October 2024. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  32. ^ "Najbolji igrač 18. kola Mozzart Bet Super lige Srbije – Luka Ilić". Serbian SuperLiga (in Serbian). 10 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)[dead link]
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