ASSE Mercato confirms 23‑year‑old Miladinovic’s loan to Partizan
L’ASSE confirmed on Monday that 23‑year‑old Serbian midfielder Igor Miladinovic has been loaned to Partizan Belgrade until the end of the 2026‑2027 season, with the Serbian club holding an option to purchase the player permanently. The move marks the latest development in the club’s summer Mercato activity.
Loan agreement with purchase option
The club announced the deal on Monday, stating that the loan runs until the close of the 2026/2027 campaign and includes a buy‑out clause. The official communiqué read: “L’ASSE et le Partizan Belgrade ont trouvé, ce lundi, un accord pour le prêt avec option d’achat d’Igor Miladinović jusqu’à la fin de saison 2026/2027.”
Negotiations over the financial terms were reported to have shifted from an initial €1.7 million request to €2.3 million before the clubs settled on the loan‑with‑option structure. Both sides opted for this compromise rather than a straight transfer fee.
Miladinovic’s departure had been anticipated for several days, and the announcement confirmed that the Serbian midfielder was indeed on the verge of leaving L’ASSE. Earlier on the same Monday, reports highlighted that the move was imminent.
Cathro’s long‑awaited deal sends Miladinović to Partizan
Miladinovic’s situation at ASSE
Since arriving in 2024, Miladinovic primarily featured with the reserve side before earning first‑team minutes, including a notable goal against Reims. However, a series of errors in the final sprint of matches led to a loss of his starting place.
The midfield roster has also been reshaped by the arrival of Cukaricki in 2024 and the reinforcement of players such as Jakob Breum, Aron Csongvai, Tamar Svetlin and Maxime Bernauer. Additionally, the loan of Gadegbeku to Pau further opened space in the squad.
Club officials indicated that Miladinovic’s exit provides a new solution for a midfield area that had become highly competitive. The loan frees up a slot and aligns with the broader strategy of streamlining the roster.
Looking ahead, Partizan will benefit from Miladinovic’s services for the remainder of the season, while the option to buy offers a potential permanent transfer. ASSE, meanwhile, continues to adjust its midfield composition as the Mercato window progresses.