In 2023, Ilija Ilic capped off an incredible playing career that included over 170 professional games across the USL League One and USL Championship, over 50 professional goals, and two USL Championship Titles with Louisville City.
His American career began in the North Georgia mountains where Ilic scored 64 goals in 72 appearances at Young Harris College.
The Belgrade, Serbia-native was One Knoxville SC’s first professional Club signing in 2023, ahead of its first season in the USL League One, after a lustrous career in the USL Championship with spells at Louisville City FC, Indy Eleven and most recently with New Mexico United.
In August, 2024, Ilic stepped up to act as the interim-head coach and led One Knoxville SC to its first USL League One playoff qualification in its history.
Now, his role extends beyond his First Team Assistant duties to Head-Coach Ian Fuller, Ilic acts as the Academy Director and oversees the progression and development of Academy Players competing for Two Knox, One Knoxville’s second team.
The 34 year old now resides in Knoxville with his wife Iva and 2 young daughters.
