Red Star Belgrade have secured the signature of Slovenian international Timi Elsnik from Olimpija Ljubljana.
The former Derby County youth player has spent the last five seasons with the Slovenian outfit, with whom he won a PrvaLiga title in 2023. With 21 goals in 129 appearances, he’s thrived in his homeland and earned his first international cap in 2021.
He appeared in all four of his side’s matches at Euro 2024, taking his caps total to 19, but contributing to a long summer, as he outlined in his initial interview.
“I am really satisfied that everything was finished in Belgrade after a few days,” he told the club’s official site. “I have a long summer behind me, after the European Championship and the transfer saga, everything is finally over and I can join the team.”
Elsnik has come a long way since his time at Derby. Failing to impress with the Rams, he had loan spells with Mansfield Town, Swindon Town and Northampton Town in League Two. His loan spell at Mansfield was terminated early, and in the summer of 2019, he was released by Derby.
That led him to Ljubljana, and his since been a huge success. His move to Red Star brings him to the pinnacle of Serbian football, winners of the old European Cup and current Serbian champions.
“I know that Zvezda won the championship in previous years, as well as playing in the Champions League,” added Elsnik. “Zvezda is one of the best teams, if not the best in the region. I am very happy to be here. The fans are the best, the loudest and create the best atmosphere. I’m looking forward to the day I step onto the field and feel it all.”
Red Star, known as Crvena Zvezda in Serbia, will enter the Champions League at the play-off stage, alongside Galatasaray, Young Boys and Dinamo Zagreb. They have a rich history in the European Cup, beating Marseille on penalties in the 1991 final, as well as being losing semi-finalists in 1957 and 1971, and finishing second in the group in 1992, with the group winners heading to the final.
Last season, they made the group stages of the competition, facing Manchester City, RB Leipzig and Young Boys, finishing at the bottom of their group with a single point.
Site Opinion
Elsnik has come a long way since leaving Derby. At times, he looked a little lightweight, but that hasn’t proven to be a big barrier.
He’s gone to Red Star to win trophies and play top-level football. He didn’t look out of place at the Euros, and more experience against Champions League sides will only help him develop as a player. He’s still only 26, and the move to Red Star shows real ambition.
He could be the one that got away for Derby County supporters.
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