Cardiff City striker Roko Simic is reportedly wanted by Croatian side Lokomotiva as the club looks to bring him back to where his senior career began.
Simic, 22, has been linked with a return to his homeland after Lokomotiva made a move to strengthen their attacking options, according to Croatian outlet Večernji list.
Career Stalled in Cardiff
The report claims Lokomotiva are keen to bring Simic back to Zagreb after his career stalled in the Welsh capital following a €4m move to Red Bull Salzburg in 2021.
The former Croatia Under-21 international has since spent time with FC Liefering, Zurich, Cardiff, Kortrijk and Karlsruher, and is now being lined up for another move away from the Bluebirds.
Loan Moves and Limited Impact
Simic joined Cardiff from Salzburg in the summer of 2024, with Erol Bulut seemingly distancing himself away from the transfer at the time, but has yet to make a first-team appearance for the club.
He spent the first half of his first season on loan at Belgian side KV Kortrijk before returning to Wales last summer, but found himself down the pecking order under Brian Barry-Murphy and surplus to requirements.
He was then loaned out to German second-tier side Karlsruher last season, but a meagre return of three goals in 28 appearances for the club has done little to help his chances of breaking into City's side this term.
Loan Interest Confirmed
The striker, who has another two years left on his Bluebirds deal, was not included in Cardiff's matchday squad for the Carabao Cup clash with Swindon Town at the weekend, instead featuring for the under-21s alongside Kion Etete.
Barry-Murphy confirmed after the game that both forwards had attracted loan interest and that the club were open to allowing them to leave if the right opportunities emerged.
“The intention is that they have loan interest,” the Cardiff boss said.
“I don't know whether the loans that have come in for them have been what they want yet, but we're hoping to keep them in the best of shape so that when the opportunity comes for them that they want, they're in the best possible condition to go and do their job.”
Potential Return to Zagreb
Now it is reported that Lokomotiva are considering a move for Simic, who came through their academy and made his senior debut for the club as a teenager.
The Croatian publication says Lokomotiva want to strengthen their attacking options after selling Aleksa Stojakovic to Dinamo Zagreb, while experienced striker Mirko Maric has already arrived.
Simic is reportedly interested in a return to Croatian football, with Lokomotiva seen as a potential destination where he could revive his career.
The 22-year-old was regarded as one of the country's brightest young forwards during his first spell at Lokomotiva and earned international recognition at youth level.
His move to Salzburg came with a sizeable €4m fee five years ago, but his progress has since failed to follow the trajectory that was expected.
Cardiff have already made it clear that Simic is available for a loan move, and a return to the club where he first made his name could provide him with the opportunity to rediscover his form.
