Josip Iličić

Lore & Background

Iličić began his professional career with Slovenian club Bonifika, later also playing for Interblock and Maribor in his home country, before moving to Italy in 2010 to join Palermo. In 2013, he signed for Fiorentina, and subsequently for Atalanta in 2017. After spending twelve years in Italy, Iličić returned to Maribor in 2022. He made his senior debut for the Slovenia national team in August 2010, in a friendly match against Australia. Three years after his debut, in September 2013, he scored his first international goal against Cyprus. Overall, he earned 86 caps for Slovenia, and represented the side at UEFA Euro 2024.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the grass of Atleti Arena under the floodlights. A foul was called deep in midfield. The crowd hushed as Josip stepped up, placing the ball with his signature precision. He wore the black and blue stripes proudly, number 72 visible against the night sky. With a glance at the wall, he struck. The ball curled over the defense, dipping sharply into the top corner. The roar of Bergamo erupted instantly, a testament to the magic one man could bring on a cold Italian evening.

Reader's Guide

Iličić enjoyed his best time as a professional footballer with Atalanta, scoring eleven or more league goals in each of his first three years at the club, and was awarded a spot in the 2018–19 Serie A Team of the Year. He became the first player to ever score four away goals in a UEFA Champions League knockout match, doing so against Valencia in 2020, which also made him the oldest player to score four goals at this stage of the competition.

Did You Know?

• Iličić scored all four of Atalanta's goals in the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against Valencia.
• He changed his shirt number to 27 at Palermo on 16 August 2011.
• Iličić's transfer to Atalanta from Fiorentina in 2017 was for a reported fee of €5.5 million.