Canadian U-20 international Nikola Paunic recently signed on with the University of South Florida in NCAA play.

Paunic, born October 13, 1993, plays the position of centreback and was previously with TFC Academy (where he played for a little over a year) and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Paunic is of Serbian descent and was born in Podgorica, Montenegro (then a part of the FR Yugoslavia). He grew up in Sokolac, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina and moved to Canada in 2001 at the age of 8. Paunic was recently at the Dallas Cup with TFC Academy and was set to play at the U20 Francophone Games but was forced to decline due to his university duties.

He began playing organized soccer in Canada in the Serbian White Eagles FC Academy. His uncles Miso, Boro and Miroslav and his grandfather Milos all played professionally.

Paunic has captained TFC Academy and the Canadian U-20 side on numerous occasions and has seen Toronto FC Reserve League play.

Paunic told us his first thoughts upon signing.

“It’s great, I’ve fit in well. I like the style of play here and the training methods. The coaches are really good and the players are extremely talented. I’ve played two exhibition matches already and the season starts today (August 30). Our first official game is today against Florida Gulf Coast University. The school itself is nice as well. All in all, I love it here.”