Milan Kojić

Milan Kojić

Personal information
Full name	Milan Kojić
Date of birth	July 10, 1976 (1976-07-10)
Place of birth	Hamilton, Canada
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Playing position	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2000	Toronto Lynx	48	(2)
2001	Montreal Impact	20	(1)
2002	Toronto Lynx	24	(2)
2003–2006	FK Haugesund	85	(13)
2007	Serbian White Eagles	2	(0)
National team
1993	Canada U-17	3	(0)
	Canada U-20
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Milan Kojić (Serbian Cyrillic: Милан Којић) (born July 10, 1976 in Hamilton, Ontario) is a retired Canadian soccer player.

Early life

He was born in Hamilton, Ontario. He is of Serbian descent.

Career

In 1999, Kojić 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. Kojić signed for Canadian Soccer League side Serbian White Eagles FC in 2007 but retired midway through the season.

International

Kojić has also represented Canada at the Under-17 and Under-20 level, making his debut in 1993 against Nigeria.