KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - One Knoxville SC today announced its first professional signing as USL Championship veteran and FK Crvena zvezda youth product Ilija Ilić has signed a two-year deal with One Knox SC ahead of its inaugural USL League One campaign. The signing is pending league and federation approval.

The 31-year-old Ilić joins One Knox SC after a lustrous professional career in the USL Championship with spells at Louisville City FC, Indy Eleven and most recently with New Mexico United.

Ilic scored 64 goals in 72 appearances under head coach Mark McKeever at Young Harris College. Following a standout collegiate career, Ilić jumped directly to the professional ranks where he won back-to-back league championships in 2017 and 2018 with Louisville City FC.

“Ilija is a tremendous player who will also help us in a coaching capacity due to his wisdom and experience in the USL Championship for many years," McKeever said. "I am so happy to work with him again after many years; his creativity and awareness is a joy to watch. Ilija is a born winner and he will lead this team forward leaps and bounds.”

“I am most excited that I will be part of an organization that has a bright future," Ilić said. "The way the club is led by the owners and Coach McKeever is something that makes me enthusiastic, and I am really looking forward to being a part of it.”

In addition to contributing on the pitch, Ilić will begin his coaching career by serving as a player-caoch, assisting McKeever and his staff.