On Matjaz Kek’s radar much more from January onwards? Mitja Ilenič targeted by many clubs, return to Europe a very likely scenario

Published on 19. October 2024 19. October 2024

Photo: New York City FC

It’s currently true that the right side of the Slovenian national teams is the most “vulnerable,” and at first glance, national team coach Matjaž Kek doesn’t have much room to maneuver in the future. However, it is also true that there is a player hiding in the youth national team who has gone through a very eventful period in his career and has even more exciting things ahead. Mitja Ilenič is one of those who contributed significantly to Slovenia’s qualification for Euro U21. The just 19-year-old player, among the youngest in Milenko Aćimović‘s squad, is one of only eight who played all eight matches in the qualifiers for the tournament in Slovakia. Mitja Ilenič played every minute, achieving a 100% playing time record.

Coach Aćimović clearly felt no need to change anything on the right side of defense, and it is evident that Mitja Ilenič will be an extremely important member of the national team next summer when they compete for the second time in history at the U21 European Championship. However, an interesting question arises: will Mitja Ilenič still be a member of the American club New York City FC when the tournament begins in Slovakia?

As we’ve learned, there are very high chances that the former prospect of Domžale will indeed part ways with North America at the end of his second season in MLS. The New Yorkers received several offers for the teenager last year and also this past summer, but in both cases, the prevailing thought was that the moment to return to Europe was not yet right. Now, however, things have apparently changed significantly, especially due to the increasing pressure from clubs on the Old Continent. It’s worth noting that the Slovenian full-back has a contract with his American club until 2026, but it seems they do not intend to stand in the way of his development.

Mitja Ilenič among the five most expensive?

Ultimately, it’s also a good deal for them. Although it’s too early to talk about how high the transfer fee could be, experts familiar with MLS believe that Mitja Ilenič will almost certainly make the list of the five most expensive sales in the history of New York City. Currently, the fifth position is held by Alexander Ring with a transfer worth 1.14 million euros to Austin, and the fourth place belongs to Joe Scally, for whom Borussia Mönchengladbach paid 1.8 million euros.

It’s not surprising that there’s interest in Ilenič in Europe. This was already the case when he left Slovenia, and in two years in New York, he has developed further, as evidenced by his nomination for the MLS Young Player of the Season award. If Mitja Ilenič does leave the United States, North America will not completely escape his thoughts. If nothing else, he will want to return to North America by 2026, clearly as a member of the Slovenian national team and as a participant in the next World Cup.

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The young players who made it to the Euro 2025 are undoubtedly the future of Slovenian senior football, something Matjaž Kek has often emphasized. Mitja Ilenič is just one of many, but he also represents a great opportunity for the coach to strengthen the competition in a position that Mariborčan has had to fill with a central defender, David Brekalo, as recently as last November…

Žan Karničnik will undoubtedly recover from injury sooner or later, but it is also true that he is 30 years old and does not have many years left at the highest level. Mitja Ilenič, on the other hand, is just at the beginning of his career, and Matjaž Kek will be able to keep a closer eye on him in the future. According to our information, he is almost certainly set to return to Europe in January, with the only question being where. He was previously sought after in Italy, and now he is reportedly opening up several additional and very interesting opportunities.