CHICAGO (Feb. 20, 2020) – Chicago Fire FC announced today that the Club has acquired Serbian midfielder Luka Stojanović via transfer from Serbian Superliga club FK Čukarički. Stojanović will be added to the Fire’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa. He is under contract with the Fire through the 2021 season with a Club option for the 2022 season.
“Luka is a highly intelligent player with experience from competitive leagues in Europe,” said Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Raphael Wicky. “In addition, he is a very versatile player who can create and score goals for the team. We are very excited to have Luka on our roster going into the 2020 season.”
Stojanović, 26, joins the Fire with 186 professional appearances across all competitions since making his debut in 2012. The midfielder comes to Chicago after spending the past three seasons in the top division in Serbia with FK Čukarički. During his time with Čukarički, Stojanović made 73 appearances, including four appearances in the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League, and scored 23 goals across all competitions. During the last two seasons with Čukarički, Stojanović has produced double-digit goals across all competitions, tallying 11 goals in 2018-19 and 12 goals in 25 appearances in 2019-20.
Stojanović originally began his professional career in Portugal with Sporting CP’s reserve team in 2012 at just 18-years-old. After tallying 22 appearances in two years with Sporting CP B, Stojanović signed with Greek first division club Apollon Limassol FC, where he scored 10 goals in 57 appearances across two seasons. Additionally, in his final season with the club, Stojanović helped lead Apollon to first place in the 2015-16 Cypriot Cup.
Following his time in Greece, Stojanović joined Royal Excel Mouscron in the Belgian first division. In two seasons with Mouscron, the midfielder made 30 appearances, including six in the UEFA Europa League Playoffs, and scored four goals. Stojanović then spent part of the 2017-18 season on loan with Royal Antwerp FC in Belgium, before permanently joining Čukarički.
Stojanović will occupy an international slot on Chicago’s 2020 roster.
The Fire will kick off the 2020 MLS season on the road versus reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC on March 1 at 2:00 p.m. CT (ESPN). Chicago will officially make its homecoming to Soldier Field on Saturday, March 21 when the team hosts Atlanta United FC in its 2020 home opener at 2:30 p.m. CT (Univision).
Single-match tickets for the Fire’s 2020 home opener are available now by calling 888-MLS-FIRE or by clicking here. Additionally, fans can reserve a seat at all 17 Fire home matches for as low as $15 per game with the purchase of a season-long ticket package.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC acquires midfielder Luka Stojanović via transfer from Serbian Superliga club FK Čukarički
Name: Luka Stojanović (Sto-yah-no-vich)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’2
Weight: 183 lbs.
Date of Birth: January 4, 1994
Hometown: Belgrade, DFR Yugoslavia
Birthplace: Belgrade, DFR Yugoslavia
Citizenship: Serbia
Last Club: FK Čukarički
