The Colorado Rapids have pursued a new goalkeeper all offseason. On Friday, they finally secured a deal for one.
The Rapids acquired 25-year-old Serbian Marko Ilić on loan with an option to buy from Belgian side K.V. Kortrijk, pending a physical, visa and International Transfer Certificate. The option to permanently acquire Ilić will be available in July when the summer window of the European transfer market re-opens. The short-term deal will allow the Serbian international to compete for a starting spot alongside current starter William Yarbrough while the staff and front office get a chance to evaluate him.
Ilić had been on goalkeeping coach Chris Sharpe’s radar for some time. With Colorado bringing in a keeper in his prime from Europe, team general manager Pádraig Smith feels the move will only enhance competition at the critical spot.
“Marko is an athletic goalkeeper who is not only a good shot stopper but also good with his feet — a strong passer who can help us build out from the back,” Smith said in a team statement. “We’re delighted to reinforce what is already a top goalkeeping group with his addition.”
Ilić has kept 16 clean sheets in 71 appearances for the Belgian club since joining at the start of the 2020 season. The Novi Sad, Serbia, native has also represented his country at the senior international level once, in addition to being a prominent figure on various youth national team age groups.
Yarbrough, 33, was sturdy at times last season, but a goalkeeper battle is certain to emerge.
The team opens the season on the road against Seattle Sounders on Feb. 26.
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