Strahinja Tanasijević Bio
Strahinja Tanasijević is a Serbian professional footballer who plays for Major League Soccer club New York City. He is primarily a centre-back but is also capable of operating as a right full-back. Born on 12 June 1997 in Mladenovac, then part of FR Yugoslavia, he has built his career through clubs in Serbia, Italy, and France before moving to North America.
Early Life and Background
Strahinja Tanasijević was born on 12 June 1997 in Mladenovac, a municipality within the city of Belgrade in what was then the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. He grew up in the same community where he first kicked a football and began playing for the local side, FK Mladenovac. Those early matches in his hometown gave him a steady grounding in the basics of defending and reading the game.
At the age of eleven, Tanasijević left his local club and joined the FK Rad youth academy in Belgrade. He worked his way through every age group at the club, a path that helped him adjust to higher training demands and a more competitive environment. By signing his first scholarship contract in 2013 and extending it two years later in 2015, he secured a formal place within the academy and set the stage for senior football.
Path to Soccer
Tanasijević’s first taste of national-level competition came during the 2015–16 season, when he was registered for FK Rad’s Serbian SuperLiga squad and also featured in the UEFA Youth League. Although he did not appear in the senior league that year, the experience exposed him to professional match rhythms. To gain senior minutes, he was sent on loan to satellite club Žarkovo for the 2016–17 Serbian League Belgrade campaign, where he made eight appearances.
After returning to Rad, Tanasijević signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2017 and completed pre-season under coach Gordan Petrić. He then moved on loan to Serbian League West side Šumadija Aranđelovac, but the deal was cut short after he missed the opening matches, and he returned to Rad before the transfer window closed.
Strahinja Tanasijević Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Tanasijević became a full member of Rad’s first team in October 2017 under head coach Slađan Nikolić. He made his professional debut later that month, coming on in the 3–0 away defeat to Voždovac in matchday fourteen of the 2017–18 Serbian SuperLiga season. Shortly afterward, he featured in Rad’s 1–0 home win over Napredak Kruševac on 4 November 2017, a performance that earned him a place in the Serbian SuperLiga team of the week.
Those early appearances established him as a dependable option at centre-back and drew the attention of clubs outside Serbia. At the end of January 2018, he completed a six-month loan move to Serie A side Chievo, with the Italian club holding an option to make the transfer permanent.
Chievo Era (2018–2019)
Tanasijević remained an unused substitute in his first Chievo appearance, which came in matchday thirty-seven of the 2017–18 Serie A season against Bologna. On 14 June 2018, Chievo exercised their option and signed him to a permanent contract that ran until June 2021. The deal reflected the club’s confidence in his long-term potential as a central defender.
Heading into the 2018–19 Serie A campaign, Tanasijević switched to the number 3 shirt and continued to develop within Chievo’s senior squad. His time in Verona offered valuable exposure to one of Europe’s most demanding leagues and helped him refine the tactical side of his game.
Paris FC Loan (2019–2020)
On 19 July 2019, Tanasijević joined Ligue 2 side Paris FC on a season-long loan. The move gave him the chance to play regular first-team football in a different country and to test himself against varied attacking styles. He spent the 2019–20 campaign in the French second tier before returning to his parent club.
Return to Serbia and the Road to MLS (2020–2023)
After his loan in France, Tanasijević returned to FK Rad in 2020. On 8 February 2021, he completed a permanent transfer to Čukarički, one of the Serbian SuperLiga’s established sides. He later featured for Mladost GAT in 2022–23 and for Spartak Subotica from 2023 to 2024, maintaining his match fitness at the top Serbian level.
New York City Era (2023–Present)
In 2023, Tanasijević signed with New York City FC of Major League Soccer, beginning a new chapter in North America. The move gave him the chance to compete in a league that continues to grow in global stature. As a senior centre-back, he provides defensive cover, leadership, and positional versatility along the back line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Tanasijević’s senior debut for Rad in October 2017 and his team-of-the-week honor later that season marked his arrival as a top-flight defender. His permanent move to Chievo in 2018 made him a fully contracted Serie A player, while his 2023 transfer to New York City FC underlined his standing as a senior professional ready for the MLS stage.
Strahinja Tanasijević Career Highlights
Tanasijević has collected experience across multiple leagues, including the Serbian SuperLiga, Serbian lower divisions, Serie A, Ligue 2, and Major League Soccer. He debuted in the Serbian top flight with Rad in 2017 and has since served as a reliable centre-back and right full-back option at every stop.
Domestic and European Performances
He featured for Rad in the Serbian SuperLiga and in the UEFA Youth League during the 2015–16 season. Loan spells at Žarkovo and Šumadija Aranđelovac gave him senior minutes, and his selection in the Serbian SuperLiga team of the week in November 2017 highlighted his early impact. At Chievo, he was part of a Serie A squad and wore the number 3 shirt, while his Paris FC loan added Ligue 2 experience to his resume.
Later Career and International Recognition
Later appearances with Čukarički, Mladost GAT, Spartak Subotica, and New York City FC have kept him active at a competitive level. Tanasijević was called into the Serbian under-19 national team in late 2015 under coach Branislav Nikolić, training with the squad without making an official appearance.
Strahinja Tanasijević Family
Family Background and Early Influences
Tanasijević was raised in Mladenovac, where his family roots are connected to the local football scene. He began playing for his hometown club, FK Mladenovac, before entering the FK Rad academy at age eleven.
Personal Life
Tanasijević keeps his personal life private, and no public details about a spouse or children are available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign is expected to be a defining year for Tanasijević at New York City FC, where he continues to provide senior depth at centre-back and right back. As an established defender with experience across Europe, he is positioned to take on a steady role in the club’s rotation and help guide younger players in the squad.
Across Major League Soccer, Tanasijević’s profile as a versatile, tactically aware defender should allow him to handle varied opposition styles. His experience in the Serbian SuperLiga, Serie A, and Ligue 2 gives him a broad understanding of how to manage tight defensive lines, an asset in MLS’s travel-heavy schedule.
With several seasons of top-flight football behind him and full familiarity with the demands of New York City FC, Tanasijević enters 2025 aiming to cement his place in the starting lineup and contribute to a competitive season for the club.