Jovan Mijatović said he was "waiting for Europe right now" earlier this month, and on January's final day, he got his desired move away from New York City FC. The 19-year-old striker is officially joining OH Leuven on loan through June 30, 2025.
This departure has been almost a forgone conclusion since Mijatović was announced as absent from NYCFC's preseason preparations, with the team claiming he was "currently in Europe completing a training stint."
That always felt like a thinly veiled confirmation that Mijatović wouldn't be returning to MLS for a second season. The highly-regarded striker joined NYCFC in February 2024 for a reported $8.6 million transfer fee, one of the most expensive players ever purchased by New York City.
Oliver Strand
Yet Mijatović's 2024 season was not a good one, with the young forward making only 15 appearances totaling 434 minutes of game time in all competitions for NYCFC, scoring one goal during Leagues Cup. Mijatović also played twice at Belson Stadium for NYCFC II during the US Open Cup, failing to register a goal or assist against a pair of USL Championship teams.
His winter has been a chaotic one, as Mijatović also struck a pedestrian with his car on a Belgrade street and left her in critical condition. That was followed up by a swirl of transfer rumors, with teams like PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Benfica in Portugal, and RSC Anderlecht in Belgium mentioned as having potential interest.
Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany also indicated Bundesliga clubs had an eye on Mijatović, though Tom Bogert also reports that City Football Group was hesitant to loan Mijatović out with a purchase option included in any loan deal. CFG is said to still highly value Mijatović despite the rough year in New York City, so according to Bogert's reporting, they preferred a straight loan with no buy-option so they could hold onto the teenager they recently paid multiple millions of dollars to sign.
NYCFC now find themselves down one striker, though Alonso Martínez and Mounsef Bakrar look set to remain and be expected to carry the load at the No 9. Mijatović arrived promising to score many goals but never found his shooting boots in MLS.
His tenure with NYCFC was not a smooth one and included a mysterious absence caused by work visa complications, his grandmother publicly complaining about his playing time on Instagram, and Jovan himself posting cryptic things on social media about his lack of minutes.
He'll now join OH Leuven in Belgium looking to re-establish himself as one of the next great young strikers coming out of Europe. He won't be remembered that way for his performances with NYCFC, but maybe things will go more smoothly for him in Belgium.
OH Leuven don't have the cachet of Anderlecht, Benfica, or PSV Eindhoven. Located in the 10th-largest city in Belgium, OH Leuven currently sit 12th in the 16-team Juplier Pro League, one spot above the relegation zone. The club have 19 goals after 23 games, the third-lowest tally in the league.
You can read the full release from New York City FC announcing Mijatović's departure below.
NEW YORK – January 31, 2025 – New York City FC today announce that it has loaned forward Jovan Mijatović to Oud-Heverlee (OH) Leuven of the Belgian Pro League through June 30, 2025.
The Serbian forward arrived ahead of the 2024 season and made 17 appearances and scored a goal across all competitions for New York City. The forward played a role in the club’s Leagues Cup quarterfinal run where he netted his first goal with the club and scored in the shootout against Mexican side Querétaro F.C. at Yankee Stadium.
“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 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.”
Mijatović returns to Europe where prior to New York City the forward had amassed 49 professional career appearances most recently with Serbian club Red Star Belgrade, in addition to UEFA Champions League and Europa League experience.
“I would like to thank everyone at New York City for welcoming me to the club last season. Although we didn’t have the season I would have wanted, I am excited at the opportunity to return to Europe and continue to work on my craft,” said forward Jovan Mijatović. “I would like to thank the coaches, staff and my teammates; I wish them all the best as they start the new season.”
On the international stage, Mijatović was called up by Serbia’s U-21 while with the ‘Boys in Blue.’ The forward made four appearances and provided a goal and assist between a friendly and UEFA Euro U-21 Championship qualifying.
Transaction: New York City FC loan forward Jovan Mijatović to OH Leuven through June 30, 2025.
