Charlotte FC signed Serbian midfielder Nikola Petkovic on Feb. 15, 2024. Petkovic was originally acquired by the Club’s Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro affiliate, Crown Legacy FC, on Feb. 16, 2023.
2024 marked Petkovic’s first season in Â鶹ÊÓƵ and the midfielder featured in a total of 16 matches for CLTFC. Petkovic scored his first Â鶹ÊÓƵ goal on May 4 against the Portland Timbers in a 2-0 victory which landed him on the Young Players of the Matchday list for Matchday 12. The Serbian made his Â鶹ÊÓƵ debut off the bench on March 23 in a 2-0 win over reigning Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cup champions, Columbus Crew.
During Petkovic’s first season in the Queen City, he made 13 appearances with Crown Legacy FC, scoring three goals and adding four assists which tied him for second-most on the team. On March 15, the midfielder was called up to the Serbian U-21 National Team for a pair of friendlies against the United States and Italy.
Petkovic joined the Club from Serbian side FK ÄŒukariÄki. The midfielder came through ÄŒukariÄki’s Academy system and broke through to the First Team, making 18 appearances in all competitions before making the move to the States. Petkovic made his senior debut for Serbia shortly before joining Crown Legacy FC, playing 81 minutes in a 2-1 victory over the USMNT on Jan. 25, 2023.
2024 (Charlotte FC): Â鶹ÊÓƵ Regular Season – Appeared in 14 matches, five starts, totaling 498 minutes. Made his Â鶹ÊÓƵ debut as a substitute against reigning Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cup champions Columbus Crew in a 2-0 victory on March 23. Scored one goal on the season against the Portland Timbers on May 4. Named to the Young Players of the Matchday list for Matchday 12. Leagues Cup – Appeared in both of CLTFC’s matches, totaling 88 minutes. (Crown Legacy FC): Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro Regular Season – Featured in two matches, starting in both, totaling 153 minutes.
2023 (Crown Legacy FC): Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro Regular Season – Appeared in 12 matches, 10 starts, totaling 769 minutes. Scored three goals and added four assists on the year, which tied him for second on the team. Made his debut with the Club on March 31 in a 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati 2. Scored his first goal with the Club in his second match against NYCFC II. Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro Playoffs – Started in the Club’s playoff match against Columbus Crew 2.
International: Has made one appearance with Serbia’s senior national team. Made his international debut on Jan. 25, 2023, in a 2-1 victory over the USMNT, where he played 81 minutes. Has 35 total appearances with Serbia’s youth national teams, where he has recorded two goals across the U-16, U-17, U-19 and U-21 age groups.
