Former SDFC standout, Escondido native Milan Iloski returning to MLS

Milan Iloski and San Diego FC parted ways last month when the two sides were unable to agree on contract terms. Per the terms of his short-term loan, the forward returned to his Denmark club — and, presumably, to European soccer.

Not so fast. The Philadelphia Union acquired Iloski from FC Nordsjælland on Tuesday, returning him to Major League Soccer for the rest of the 2025 season and beyond. Iloski is under contract with Philadelphia through 2027 with a club option for 2028. The move required moving up in Major League Soccer’s waiver order; to do that, Philadelphia sent cellar-dwelling Montreal their No. 21 spot in the waiver order and $100,000 — a figure that could grow to $250,000 if Iloski stars for his new club.

Philadelphia is 15-5-5 heading into the final stretch of the MLS season, good for first place in the Eastern Conference standings. SDFC (14-7-4) is first in the Western Conference.

Iloski, a 26-year-old Escondido native, spent four months with SDFC on loan from FC Nordsjælland. He was instant offense, scoring 10 goals in just 471 minutes — the equivalent of just over five full games. He scored four goals in just 12  minutes against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

“Milan is a dynamic, instinctive goal scorer who thrives in attacking transition,” said Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner. “His ability to convert goal chances is extraordinary and he has a willingness to defend. We look forward to integrating him into the team quickly.”