The 22-year-old is charged with assaulting John Friel, by repeatedly punching him on the head and body and kicking him on the body on November 3 last year in Queen Street, Glasgow.
The player's lawyer submitted a not guilty plea by letter to Glasgow Sheriff Court, a court official said.
A trial date has been set for October 28 at the court.
Goodwillie, from Stirling, moved from Dundee United to Blackburn this summer for a fee thought to be ?2million.
The case was due to be called at court today but the letter was dealt with by court officials without the need for Goodwillie or his lawyer to appear.
Source: Daily Mail