Derby County released a player during the Frank Lampard era who could now seal a seven-figure switch to a Championship rival.
Derby’s approach in the transfer window has been refreshing, as David Clowes has armed Paul Warne with the funds to bolster his squad.
Although there is still a long way to go before the Rams are fully prepared for the Championship, which kicks off with a trip to Blackburn Rovers, they have made significant improvements to their squad.
Ebou Adams long-awaited return to Pride Park was finally confirmed on Wednesday as the 28-year-old joined four new players in Derbyshire, including Ben Osborn, Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates and Kenzo Goudmijn.
It’s a list of players that will fill supporters with confidence heading into the second tier, especially with the coup of Osborn however, there is another midfielder who Derby may regret releasing.
Derby County could regret releasing Tim Elsnik
Derby have seen several players slip from their grasp over the years, and Timi Elsnik is the latest to have left Pride Park and flourished elsewhere.
An unknown signing from Slovenian outfit NK Aluminij as a 17-year-old in 2015, Elsnik showed promise in the youth system and following his first campaign at the club, he was named Scholar of the Year.
Sadly, this didn’t earn him opportunities in the first team and the Slovenian powerhouse was instead shipped out on loan to various sides in the EFL, including Mansfield, Swindon and Northampton Town.
Despite racking up 58 appearances across those spells, he didn’t do enough to figure in Frank Lampard’s plans, who chose to release him at the end of his contract in 2019.
Elsnik – now aged 26 – chose to return to his native Slovenia and sign for NK Olimpija, where he’s made 158 appearances, scoring 27 and assisting 19.
The talented midfielder – who was dubbed ‘excellent’ by former Rams academy director Darren Wassall – has since attracted lots of interest following his Euro 2024 campaign, in which he starred for his country.
Elsnik placed his name firmly on the international stage with his performance against England in the group stage and could now make a return to the Championship, perhaps handing Derby a sense of regret.
Tim Elsnik is wanted by Championship sides Hull City and Oxford
According to The Mirror journalist Ryan Taylor, Derby’s Championship rivals Hull City have been offered the chance to sign Elsnik for £1.5 million this summer, following his impressive performances at Euro 2024.
He claims that Dinamo Zagreb & Pisa have already failed with bids, while fellow second-tier side, Oxford United, have also shown ‘loose interest’ in the midfielder.
Last season, Elsnik showed his goal-scoring powers from central positions, racking up 10 goals and six assists in all competitions, while playing five times in the Europa Conference League.
Since departing Derby, he’s developed into a quality talent, who could now return to the Championship in a seven-figure move – if Hull choose to trigger what is a very tempting asking price.