Nikola Markovic

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

Early life Markovic was born in Canada to Serbian parents. During his youth, he played soccer with FC Gatineau, CS des Collines, and AS Gatineau. 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.

College career In 2024, Markovic began attending North Carolina State University, where he played for the men's soccer team. He made his debut on September 6, 2024, starting in a 2–1 victory over the California Golden Bears. 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. At the end of his freshman season, he was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team and the ACC Academic Honor Roll. He was also named to the Best XI for the 2024 NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament and was also a semi-finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.

Club career In 2023, Markovic began playing at the senior level with CF Montréal U23 in Ligue1 Québec. At the draft, he was selected first overall by D.C. United.

Markovic made his professional debut on February 21, 2026 in a 1–0 victory against Philadelphia Union, coming on for Jackson Hopkins in the 89th minute. He made his first start for the club on April 15 in a U.S. Open Cup match against One Knoxville SC. Three days later, he made his first MLS start for the club against the Philadelphia Union.

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