Milan Kojić
Kojic in 2007 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | October 7, 1976 | ||
Place of birth | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | ||
Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||
Playing position | Defender | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
1997 | Vasalunds IF | 21 | (0) |
1999–2000 | Toronto Lynx | 48 | (2) |
2001 | Montreal Impact | 20 | (1) |
2002 | Toronto Lynx | 24 | (2) |
2003–2006 | Haugesund | 85 | (13) |
2007 | Serbian White Eagles | 3 | (0) |
National team | |||
1992–1993 | Canada U17 | 8 | (0) |
1994 | Canada U20 | 3 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
Milan Kojic (born October 7, 1976) is a retired Canadian soccer player.
Early life
He was born in Hamilton, Ontario. He is of Serbian descent.
Career
In the 1997 season, Kojic played with Vasalunds IF in Sweden.[1]
In 1999, Kojic signed for the Toronto Lynx. There he established his reputation as one of the best defenders in the United Soccer Leagues, starting 26 out of 28 games in his first season (where he was mostly used as the point man for set plays) scoring two goals, both off free kick headers. He had a standout year in 2000, leading the Lynx to one of the lowest goals-against average totals in the league. The highlight of his season was a dramatic goal against the Richmond Kickers in the A-League quarterfinals, which clinched the playoff series for the Lynx. In 2001, he signed for division rivals Montreal Impact. With the Impact he scored a single goal in twenty games, and he helped the Impact come within one win of clinching the final playoff berth.
He re-joined Toronto in 2002 where his solid defensive play was one of the bright spots that season. His two goals and four assists in 2002 was the highest single year point total for a Lynx defender. He nearly helped the Lynx make the playoffs but a tie in the final game of the season against the Atlanta Silverbacks made the Charlotte Eagles take the final playoff spot.
Just after signing a new contract with the Lynx for 2003, Milan was transferred to FK Haugesund of the Norwegian First Division. As a starter for Haugesund, he became one of their leading players, helping turn around a team that finished 9th in 2002 to one that is challenging for a promotion spot in the Tippeligaen. In 2005, he helped FKH win back a promotion to the Adeccoligaen. On August 31, 2006 he was released from his contract. Kojic signed for Canadian Soccer League side Serbian White Eagles FC in 2007 but retired midway through the season.
International
Kojic has also represented Canada at the Under-17 and Under-20 level, making his debut in 1993 against Nigeria.[2]