Luka Prpa Bio
Luka Prpa (born July 27, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder. He is currently signed with USL League One club FC Naples, where he joined ahead of the club’s inaugural 2025 season. A product of Marquette University’s college soccer program, Prpa entered the professional ranks after being selected in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft by Houston Dynamo. Over the course of his career, he has developed through the lower divisions of American soccer, building a reputation as a creative and goal-scoring midfielder.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, Prpa is known for his composure on the ball and his ability to contribute both goals and assists from the middle of the pitch. He has played for several clubs across the United States soccer system, including Rio Grande Valley FC, Hartford Athletic, and Chicago Fire II. His career path reflects the modern American player’s journey from youth and college soccer into the professional ranks.
Early Life and Background
Luka Prpa was born on July 27, 1998, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States. Growing up in the Midwest, he developed an early passion for the sport of soccer and pursued the game competitively from a young age. His youth career included time with Chicago Magic PSG, one of the well-known development clubs in the Chicago area, which helped shape his technical foundation as a midfielder.
Coming from a family with strong ties to professional soccer, Prpa is the cousin of fellow professional soccer player Andrija Novakovich. This family connection to the game offered additional motivation and exposure to the demands of high-level play. His upbringing in Wisconsin and his time in the Chicago-area youth system provided a balanced path that combined regional development with exposure to competitive national-level environments.
Path to Soccer
Prpa’s journey toward professional soccer accelerated when he enrolled at Marquette University, where he played four years of college soccer between 2016 and 2019. During his time with the Marquette Golden Eagles, he made 66 appearances, scoring 18 goals and tallying 21 assists. These numbers highlighted his ability to influence matches from the midfield and helped establish him as one of the program’s more productive offensive players during his tenure.
While competing in the college ranks, Prpa also gained valuable summer experience with USL Premier Development League sides. In 2017, he appeared for OKC Energy U23, and the following year he played for Chicago FC United in 2018. These developmental stints provided him with a bridge between the college game and the professional level, allowing him to face older and more experienced opponents. Following his senior season at Marquette, Prpa declared for the MLS SuperDraft and began preparing for the next step in his career.
Luka Prpa Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Prpa’s earliest competitive experiences at the semi-professional level came in the USL PDL, where he represented OKC Energy U23 during the 2017 season. The following summer, he played for Chicago FC United in 2018, continuing to sharpen his skills against a higher caliber of competition. These appearances, combined with his standout college career at Marquette, helped position him as a prospect worth tracking heading into the MLS draft process.
Across his four years at Marquette University, Prpa tallied 18 goals and 21 assists in 66 appearances, a productive output that showcased his ability to both finish and create for teammates. His consistent contributions on the scoresheet drew attention from Major League Soccer scouts and set the stage for his selection in the 2020 draft class.
MLS SuperDraft and Rio Grande Valley FC (2020)
On January 9, 2020, Prpa was selected 34th overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft by Houston Dynamo. The selection marked the formal beginning of his professional career and validated his development through the college and developmental league systems. Shortly after the draft, on February 27, 2020, he signed for Houston’s USL Championship affiliate side, Rio Grande Valley FC, providing him with a clear pathway to first-team minutes.
Prpa made his professional debut on March 8, 2020, starting in a 1–5 loss to LA Galaxy II. He scored Rio Grande Valley FC’s lone goal in that match, an early sign of his comfort at the professional level. However, the 2020 season was shortened by external circumstances, and following the campaign, Rio Grande Valley opted to decline their contract option on Prpa, making him a free agent heading into the next year.
Hartford Athletic Era (2021–2022)
On February 15, 2021, Prpa moved to USL Championship side Hartford Athletic, beginning a new chapter in his professional journey. The move offered him the opportunity to secure a more consistent role within a senior squad competing in one of the stronger divisions below MLS. During his time in Hartford, he continued to operate primarily as a midfielder, contributing to the team’s attacking play.
Prpa spent two seasons with Hartford Athletic, building experience in the USL Championship and further adapting to the physical and tactical demands of full-time professional soccer. His time at the club helped him mature as a player, even as the team worked to establish its identity within the league.
Chicago Fire II Era (2023–2024)
Following his stint in Hartford, Prpa joined Chicago Fire II, the developmental side affiliated with Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire FC, beginning in 2023. Playing in MLS NEXT Pro provided a new challenge and a direct link to the top tier of American soccer. He remained with the club through 2024, contributing as a midfielder within a development-focused environment that bridged youth and senior professional soccer.
FC Naples Era (2025)
In February 2025, Prpa joined USL League One club FC Naples ahead of the club’s inaugural season. The move represented a fresh start with a brand-new franchise and an opportunity to play a meaningful role in building the team’s identity. He quickly made an impact, scoring in a 1–1 draw against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the U.S. Open Cup, although FC Naples ultimately fell in a penalty shootout. Prpa’s contract with the club expired on December 5, 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most notable moments of Prpa’s early professional career came on March 8, 2020, when he scored on his debut for Rio Grande Valley FC against LA Galaxy II. Being selected 34th overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft also stands as a defining milestone, reflecting his stature as a college standout. More recently, his goal in the U.S. Open Cup against the Tampa Bay Rowdies during FC Naples’ inaugural campaign marked another memorable chapter in his career.
Luka Prpa Career Wins
Across his professional career in American soccer, Prpa has contributed goals and assists at multiple levels, including the USL Championship, MLS NEXT Pro, and USL League One. His scoring touch has been a consistent feature of his game, beginning with his debut goal for Rio Grande Valley FC in 2020. While he has not lifted a major league trophy, his career has been marked by steady contributions to his teams’ attacking play and notable individual moments in cup competition.
USL Championship and MLS NEXT Pro Highlights
During his time with Rio Grande Valley FC in 2020 and Hartford Athletic from 2021 to 2022, Prpa gained valuable experience in the USL Championship, one of the stronger second-tier competitions in the United States. His subsequent move to Chicago Fire II in MLS NEXT Pro from 2023 to 2024 allowed him to continue his development within an MLS-affiliated structure. These experiences have collectively helped him grow into a well-rounded professional midfielder.
Luka Prpa Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Prpa comes from a family with a strong connection to professional soccer. He is the cousin of Andrija Novakovich, a fellow professional soccer player who has also competed at high levels of the game. This family tie has provided Prpa with a direct link to the professional soccer world and has served as a source of motivation throughout his career.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Prpa has spent much of his life and career based in the United States. His family connections to the sport, combined with his Midwestern roots, have helped shape his path through American soccer. Prpa continues to pursue his professional career while remaining connected to the family influences that helped bring him into the game.
2025 Season Performance
Prpa’s 2025 season was defined by his move to FC Naples, a brand-new USL League One club preparing for its inaugural campaign. Joining the team in February 2025, he was given an opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping the franchise’s early identity. He featured in cup competition, notably scoring against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the U.S. Open Cup in a match that ultimately ended in a penalty shootout defeat for his side.
Throughout the season, Prpa operated as a midfielder, contributing both defensive work and attacking output for FC Naples. His experience across multiple professional environments, including the USL Championship and MLS NEXT Pro, allowed him to provide leadership and stability to a newly formed squad. Although FC Naples faced the challenges typical of an expansion team, Prpa’s presence helped set a competitive tone for the club’s first year of existence.
Prpa’s contract with FC Naples expired on December 5, 2025, bringing his time with the club to a close at the end of its inaugural season. His performances during 2025 added another chapter to a career that has steadily progressed through the American soccer pyramid. As he evaluates his next move, his 2025 contributions with FC Naples stand as a testament to his ongoing development and adaptability as a midfielder.