Former Canadian international Srdjan Djekanovic is the new head coach of the Kwantlen Eagles men’s soccer team.
A native of Belgrade, Serbia and a B.C. resident for close to 20 years, Djekanovic played for provincial teams in the under-14, under-15 and under-17 age groups, and was selected to play for Canada at the under-20 and senior levels.
He was the starting goaltender for the UBC Thunderbirds when the team won CIS (Canadian Intercollegiate Sports) championships in 2005 and 2007, and earnied second-team all-Canadian honours in 2006.
As a professional, he became the first player to have played for all three Canadian teams (Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC and Montreal Impact)
“As a student-athlete, professional athlete and coach, Srdjan brings a vast amount of experience to the Eagles, which is a great asset for our players in their development,” said Elise Le Brun, director, athletics and recreation at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. “His passion for the game and his firm belief in the importance of lifelong learning makes him a great fit for KPU’s Eagles program.”
Since 2009, Srdjan has held the role of assistant coach with the UBC men’s team, winning another national title in 2012.
He has also served as head coach of several youth teams, and is the director and head coach of Primo Sports Soccer Academy.
“I am excited to join KPU’s athletics program,” said Djekanovic, a teacher in the Coquitlam School District. “I look forward to working with the players to make the Eagles men’s soccer program one of the top programs in the country.”
The Eagles were 6-5-3 (won-tied-lost) in the PACWEST (Pacific Western Athletic Association) league last season, placing fourth among eight teams.
