D.C. United provides details on contract for Canadian defender Nikola Markovic

By Canadian Press on January 20, 2026.

WASHINGTON — Canadian defender Nikola Markovic, the first overall pick in the December MLS SuperDraft, has signed a three-year contract with D.C. United through the 2028-29 season, with options for 2029-30 and 2030-31.

The 21-year-old from Gatineau, Que., who made 39 appearances in two seasons with North Carolina State, had signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer prior to the draft. On Tuesday, D.C. United confirmed details of that contract.

Generation Adidas, a joint program between MLS and Adidas, provides contracts to elite collegiate underclassmen and youth national team players. Generation Adidas players sit on a club’s supplemental roster, meaning they do not count against the salary cap until the end of the guaranteed term of their contract (up to three years).

“We are thrilled to have signed such a young and exciting talent in Nikola, following an impressive season with N.C. State,” Erkut Sogut, D.C. United’s managing director of soccer operations, said in a statement. “He is a physical defender who remains poised under pressure and displays a level of maturity you don’t often see very often at his age.

“Just as importantly, Nikola carries himself with professionalism and his character aligns perfectly with the culture we are building at the club. We are excited to welcome him and strengthen our defensive core.”

Markovic helped North Carolina to a 16-3-4 regular season record in 2025, with 15 clean sheets and just 13 goals conceded. The Wolfpack made it to last month’s NCAA championship game where they lost 3-2 to the University of Washington after extra time in the College Cup final in Cary, N.C.

The six-foot-four 205-pounder was named a 2025 first team all-American as well as to the 2025 All-ACC First Team and the 2025 ACC Defender of the Year.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 20, 2026.

The Canadian Press