Leicester City and Southampton are reportedly interested in signing Timi Elsnik, the former Derby County midfielder from Slovenia. Elsnik, 26, has impressed scouts during Euro 2024, where Slovenia’s performances included draws against Denmark, Serbia, and England, securing qualification from Group C and setting up a last 16 match against Portugal.
While Lyon and Lazio have also shown interest, the Daily Mail suggests that Leicester and newly promoted Southampton are in a better financial position to meet Elsnik’s £5.5 million valuation. It is anticipated that a transfer could be finalized within the next few weeks.
Elsnik began his career in Derby County’s youth setup as a teenager and gained experience on loan at Swindon, Mansfield, and Northampton. However, he only managed three cup appearances for Derby before returning to Slovenia to join Olimpija Ljubljana.
Speaking to former Leicester defender and Derby manager Gary Rowett recently, Elsnik reflected on his journey: “When people look from the outside and see you playing at this level now, they wonder how it’s possible considering where you’ve come from. But you progress step by step, and every day it becomes normal. It’s not like out of nowhere, from Swindon, I’m thrown into this Portugal game. It becomes a part of you.”
He expressed optimism about Slovenia’s national team: “Slovenia has some talented players and the core group is still young. For some players, it can be a springboard to move to better leagues and clubs, and they will continue to grow. If we maintain this core and develop as we should, I hope Slovenia won’t have to wait another 24 years to qualify for the Euros again. I believe we have a good chance of regularly appearing in these competitions.”
Looking ahead to his own future, Elsnik shared his ambitions: “I hope I can move to a higher-level club where they will nurture my development further because I know I still have room to improve. I’m not a finished product yet, so I’m ready for the next challenge.”
Elsnik didn’t feature in league matches for Derby County, but he left a lasting impression on those who worked with him.
Former teammate Darren Bent, speaking to the Guardian this summer, recalled: “He was brave, not afraid to take charge of the ball or challenge senior members of the squad. We all witnessed in training his talent, a beautiful left foot, his ability to control the ball, score goals, but unfortunately, injuries hindered his progress, preventing him from securing a consistent run of games. It’s fantastic to see the success he’s achieved. I sent him a message of encouragement before the tournament.”
Former Derby academy director Darren Wassall also praised Elsnik’s abilities: “He was comfortable on the ball, with an excellent first touch. We always looked for players who could move the game forward. He had a good understanding of where the next pass should go, possessed a strong left foot, rarely lost possession, and wasn’t afraid to take risks. Creative players tend to lose possession a bit more as they try to create opportunities. We always believed his technical skills were suited for a higher level, playing alongside better players.”
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