Serbian midfielder and U22 Initiative signing made 73 appearances across three seasons for OFK Beograd
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Wednesday that the club has acquired Serbian midfielder Aleksa Cvetković via transfer from Serbian SuperLiga side OFK Beograd. Cvetković has agreed to a U22 Initiative contract through the 2029-30 Major League Soccer season, with a club option for the 2030-31 season. The 21-year-old will officially join the club’s MLS roster pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, visa, work permit, and medical.
“Aleksa has been a regular starter and standout player for OFK Belgrad over the past two seasons in a highly competitive league,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “He brings tremendous energy and intensity to every match, along with a relentless work rate as a box-to-box midfielder. We believe he can make a valuable contribution to our squad while continuing to grow and develop as he adapts to a new country and a new league.”
Whitecaps FC midfielder Aleksa Cvetković
- Started 52 of his 73 appearances for OFK Beograd, adding seven goals and nine assists
- 2021-22 Serbian U-17 champion with Red Star Belgrade
- 82 appearances at the youth level with Red Star Belgrade and Graficar Belgrade
- Five appearances, one goal for Serbia's U-21 national team
- Invited to Serbia senior national team camp in March
"I’m excited to join the Vancouver Whitecaps FC family,” added Cvetković. "From the very first moment I learned the club was interested in me, I was highly motivated to make this move, and I truly believe it is the right step for my career. The team plays an intense, attacking style of football, with a lot of movement and running, which suits me well and will allow me to continue developing as a player. I hope my performances can help the team and contribute to the club’s continued success. I’ve also heard nothing but great things from Ranko Veselinović about the club, the players, and Vancouver as a city. I’m really looking forward to the challenges ahead, and I can’t wait to get started.”
In three seasons with OFK Beograd, Cvetković started 52 of his 73 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and adding nine assists. The 21-year-old played most of his minutes as a central midfielder, while also showing versatility by being deployed as a winger.
Cvetković originally came through the youth system at famed Serbian side Red Star Belgrade, spending time with the club's U-17 and U-19 sides. His most productive offensive season came with the U-19s in 2023/24 when he tallied 16 goal contributions (nine goals, seven assists) across 33 starts and 36 appearances in the Serbian Omladinska Liga and UEFA Youth League competition. He also played a key role during the 2021/22 season, helping the U-17s become national champions.
During his time in Red Star's youth system, Cvetković spent half a season on loan at Graficar Belgrade, making two appearances for the first team and 11 appearances for the U-19 side.
Growing up, Cvetković also played for OFK Radnicki Nis.
Internationally, the native of Leskovac, Serbia has represented his country at the U-21 level, making five appearances and scoring once. Earlier this year, Cvetković was called up to Serbia's senior national team for a training match in March, but is still searching for his first cap.
TRANSACTION: On August 12, 2026, Whitecaps FC acquire midfielder Aleksa Cvetković via transfer from OFK Beograd. Cvetković agrees to a U22 Initiative contract through the 2029-30 season, with a club option for 2030-31.
Aleksa Cvetković
Pronunciation: alek-sah zz-vet-koh-vich
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-00
Weight: 165 pounds
Date of Birth: May 13, 2005 in Leskovac, Serbia
Hometown: Leskovac, Serbia
Citizenship: Serbia
Status: International, U22 initiative
Previous Clubs: OFK Beograd (2024-26), Red Star Belgrade (2023-24, 2021-23), Graficar Belgrade (2023 - on loan)
Youth Clubs: Red Star Belgrade, Graficar Belgrade, OFK Radnicki Nis
Instagram: @\_cvetkoviicc\_
