Luka Ilić

Red Star Belgrade

Luka started playing football with local football club Filip Filipović at the age of 7, along with his younger brother Ivan. Later he played with football club Real Niš until 2014, when he joined Red Star Belgrade. He joined the first team in for the 2016–17 season under coach Miodrag Božović, making his senior debut for the team in a friendly match against Ludogorets Razgrad on 14 November 2015. Ilić signed his first professional contract with Red Star Belgrade in February 2016. During the summer pre-season in 2017, Ilić presented as an one of the top 10 club's youth prospects. He made his official debut for the club on 6 July 2017, replacing Slavoljub Srnić in second leg of the first qualifying round for 2017–18 UEFA Europa League against Floriana. Several days later, Red Star accepted an offer from the English side Manchester City and Ilić had been sold for a €5 million net fee along with his younger brother Ivan. Within the arrangement, Luka returned at one-year loan deal to Red Star. Ilić made his Serbian SuperLiga debut on 13 August 2017, as a substitution for Nemanja Milić in the match against OFK Bačka.

As a left-footed player, Ilić performed at all position in midfield through the youth career. In early years of playing football, he usually performed more offensive as a second striker or attacking midfielder. Joining the youth team of Red Star Belgrade, Ilić converted his position, playing as right-side central midfielder, and later as a defensive midfielder with a box-to-box role, being paired with his brother. He characterized by lucidity and great performances face to face game against the opponent.

Club

As of 20 September 2017

Born in Niš, Ilić grew up in a sports family. His father Srđan played as a winger in Radnički Niš and his mother Danijela Ilić played basketball professionally. Luka's younger brother, Ivan is also a professional footballer.