Finally a 10: Colorado Rapids Sign Djordje Mihailović

COMMERCE CITY – Colorado Rapids have reported broken the club record for a transfer fee in acquiring midfielder Djordje Mihailović from Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar, the club announced Monday morning. He has signed a four-year contract through 2027 with a club option through 2028. He will be a Designated Player. Andreas Maxsø has been bought down from DP status in order to make room for Mihailović alongside Kévin Cabral and Rafael Navarro. Colorado first acquired his discovery priority from FC Cincinnati in exchange for $75,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money.

“Djordje is a top signing, and this addition is a big statement from our club. His competitive nature and play making ability will immediately make us better as well as help us score goals,” said Rapids Head Coach Chris Armas. “He has the personality and intensity needed to excel with our style of play.”

Burgundy Wave has it on good authority that Colorado’s previous club record transfer fee was $2.7 million for Juan Ramírez in 2015. Mihailović is reportedly coming on a fee of over $3 million.

Mihailović is 25-years-old. He joined AZ a year ago from CF Montréal for a reported $6 million fee. He played 36 games all competitions for the club, getting two goals and two assists. He’s fallen out of favor this season. Half of leagues games he’s been an unused sub. He’s has started three of the last four games but has not played 90 minutes all year and has no goal contributions.

If the rumored transfer fees of $3 million are true, AZ are selling him at a 50% loss. That’s not something Dutch clubs do often. The Serbian American’s stint in the Netherlands was disappointing to say the least. For a guy with eleven caps and three goals for the USMNT playing in Europe, his stock is down.

That being said, he is a known quantity in MLS, and an excellent one at that. In two years with Montréal, he recorded 13 goals and 22 assists in 61 appearances. They won a Canadian Championship. He was the center piece of a Wilfried Nancy team that won a home playoff game. That Montréal side was built on a budget, Distressed Assets FC style.

His floor should be 2020-21 Cole Bassett. He’s entering his prime age wise. His ceiling could be Dániel Gazdag or Ryan Gauld. His last year with Montréal, he was on $752,000. His new contract could have him on double that and it would still be worth it.

Given his poor time in Europe and his age, it’s a good question what his sell-on value could be for Colorado over the length of the contract. Club President Pádraig Smith generally prefers players with that kind of upside (not that that’s worked out too often). Mihailović is going to have to ball and help Colorado be more competitive to get back on the radar of the national team and European clubs.

In terms of his role, he has to be a No. 10 for Chris Armas, so say nothing of him wearing that shirt number. He is replacing the production and chance creation of Diego Rubio. He could be here for the long term. He’s younger and better in transition, something the club highlighted in choosing to move on from Rubio. He has very good defensive and pressing stats as well as being a chance creator, more so as a passer. He should be the linkup player to get Omir Fernandez and Rafael Navarro good looks at goal.

Armas has an interesting problem getting him, Connor Ronan, Bassett, and Sidnei Tavares on the pitch at the same time. And that’s without signing Jack Price’s replacement. It’s not clear how they all fit into a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

Sources tell Burgundy Wave the front office and coaching staff like Mihailović on the left. If it’s a 4-2-3-1, a front four of him, Navarro, Bassett as a pressing 10/later runner in the box, and Fernandez/Cabral on the right is way better than last year.

That aside, this signing is a coup for Colorado Rapids. Even if there weren’t comparable European teams looking to bring Mihailović in on loan or permanently, there had to be interest from other MLS clubs. Colorado’s now gotten two players in Mihailović and Fernandez who are clear upgrades, attacking players, and respected in MLS to have interest from club with more money/prestige. Mihailović should be a Raumdeuter.

They sold those two on the project. To say nothing of KSE finally spending big on the positions up top.

Smith has done good work this offseason. They’re building a team that fits the style Armas thinks can help the club punch above their weight. They finally signed a No. 10 who should crush it in MLS, something fans have been clamoring for since winning MLS Cup 13 years ago.

Still need ball winner to play next to Ronan.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

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