Jovan Mijatović: Meet NYCFC's record transfer potentially destined for Man City

It is an extraordinary deal for Major League Soccer standards. Earlier this week, New York City FC announced that the club had signed Serbian talent Jovan Mijatović from Belgrade-giants Crvena zvezda. The 18-year-old forward has signed a contract until 2028 with a club option for 2029 and will be part of the MLS U22 Initiative. Transfermarkt understands that Crvena zvezda will receive an initial €8 million plus €2m in add-ons. 

Once future incentives are met, Mijatović will become the most expensive player in NYCFC’s club history (overview). Mijatović also becomes the third most expensive U19 player in MLS history. Only Esequiel Barco (to Atlanta United) and Brian Rodríguez (to LAFC) were more expensive teenagers in league history. Interestingly, Mijatović becomes the second high-profile teenager signed by the New York-based club. The Sky Blues also signed Agustín Ojeda for €7m earlier this winter from Argentine club Racing. Both players are, without a doubt, seen as long-term prospects who can use MLS to grow into significant assets within the City Group. 

“We’re really excited to welcome Jovan to New York,” NYCFC sporting director David Lee said in a club statement. “Jovan is a dynamic striker who, despite only being 18 years old has already gained experience in both domestic competitions and the UEFA Champions League. He was one of the most sought-after young strikers in Europe, so it is especially pleasing that despite various other opportunities, he has chosen New York City FC as the best place for his career development.” 

Mijatović: NYCFC wonderkid among top strikers in Serbia

Nicknamed ‘Beckham’ in his native Serbia, Mijatović is a typical striker. Despite still being a teenager, has managed eight goals and two assists in 14 Serbian Super Liga games this season. Indeed, only three players have scored more often than Mijatović in Serbia this season. Even more impressive, Mijatović has managed his eight goals with limited playing time, scoring on average every 80 minutes for Crvena zvezda. 

As a result, Mijatović, together with 18-year-old Milos Luković, has become one of the most in-demand Serbian strikers in Europe. Luković, of course, is already off the market as the IMT Belgrad prospect has been signed by Chelsea-owned RC Strasbourg this season. Like Luković, Mijatović, too is going to a partner club of a European giant. Indeed, the indication is that, like Ojeda, Mijatović is considered a long-term prospect for Man City or at the very least Spanish affiliate Girona. 

NYCFC, in fact, have had success within the Man City pyramid in the past. A good example is Taty Castellanos, who first took MLS by storm before increasing his profile with Girona in Europe. Although Castellanos wasn’t quite deemed good enough for Pep Guardiola’s Man City, NYCFC did manage to sell the Argentine for €15m to Serie A side Lazio. In the worst case, the NYCFC and the owners of the City Group will hope that Mijatović will take a similar path. In the best case, Mijatović will continue his development and become a top striker capable of playing for Man City in the Premier League.