Mitja Ilenič

Mitja Ilenič is a Slovenian professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Ekstraklasa club Raków Częstochowa, on loan from Major League Soccer club New York City FC.

Club career

Ilenič started his football career in 2011, at the age of six, with Bela Krajina, and then joined Domžale in the summer of 2019. He initially played as a forward, but later moved to the position of right-back when he was still a youngster. He signed his first professional contract with Domžale at the age of sixteen, and made his Slovenian PrvaLiga debut on 22 May 2021 against Aluminij, in the final round of the 2020–21 season.
In October 2022, Ilenič extended his contract with Domžale until 2025. Throughout 2022, he established himself in the club's starting eleven, as he attracted the interest of several foreign clubs, including Sturm Graz, Hellas Verona, Lugano, Sparta Prague and New York City FC.

On 4 January 2023, Ilenič joined Major League Soccer club New York City FC on a permanent deal, signing a contract until 2026, with an option for another year.

On 17 January 2026, Ilenič moved to Polish Ekstraklasa club Raków Częstochowa on a one-year loan with an option to buy.

Ilenič has represented Slovenia at all youth international levels from under-17 to [Slovenia national Slovenia national under-21 football team|under-21 football team|under-21]. He made his debut for the Slovenia under-21 team on 25 March 2022, starting the match and playing the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw against Kosovo, a match from the qualification round of the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. At the age of 17 years, two months and 27 days, he became the second youngest player to ever represent the team, behind only Jan Oblak.
He made his debut for the senior Slovenia national team on 20 January 2024 in a friendly against the United States.