TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Loan
New York City FC have loaned striker Jovan Mijatović to Belgian Pro League side Oud-Heverlee Leuven through June 2025, the club announced Thursday.
The 19-year-old Serbian youth international joined NYCFC in February 2024 from Red Star Belgrade as a U22 Initiative signing. He scored one goal in 17 appearances across all competitions during his debut MLS season.
"We're pleased that we have been able to find a destination in Europe at a competitive level in Belgium's top division for Jovan to play regular football, which is critical for his continued development at this age," said NYCFC sporting director David Lee.
"While last season did not materialize how we all hoped, Jovan is still very young and a talented player with a lot of potential and we believe this loan will help him develop. We're looking forward to following Jovan with OH Leuven for the remainder of the season and wish him all the best."
With the deal, Costa Rican international Alonso Martínez and Algerian international Mounsef Bakrar are NYCFC's top remaining strikers. Martínez scored a team-leading 18 goals across all competitions in 2024.
Mijatović is NYCFC's second player to go on loan this winter, following homegrown midfielder James Sands' move to German Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli.
Now led by head coach Pascal Jansen, the Cityzens begin their 2025 season on Feb. 22 at defending Supporters' Shield champions Inter Miami CF (2:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).
READ MORE: MLS Transfer Tracker presented by Avant
