34-cap international opens the door for potential Derby County transfer reunion | OneFootball

Timi Max Elsnik, who is currently at Red Star Belgrade, has admitted he would be open to returning to Derby County in the future.

Slovenia international midfielder Timi Max Elsnik has admitted that returning to Derby County and helping them to the Premier League would be a ‘dream’.

Elsnik joined the Rams as a 17-year-old in 2015, and he would go on to spend four years at Pride Park, although he only made three appearances for Derby, all of which came in cup competitions.

Despite three decent loan spells in the Football League, Derby released Elsnik in the summer of 2019, and he ended up returning to his home country, signing for Olimpija Ljubljana.

Timi Max Elsnik reveals Derby County ambitions

That turned out to be a great move for Elsnik, as he rediscovered his best form at the club, helping them to a league title and two cup wins over the next four years.

During that period, Elsnik also forced his way into the Slovenian national team, and he has gone on to make 34 appearances for his country, which included playing at Euro 2024.

Currently at Red Star Belgrade, having made the move to the Serbian giants in 2024 for €1.5 million, Elsnik is regularly competing in European competitions, and he will hope to win another league title this season.

However, speaking to Derbyshire Live, the midfielder made it clear that Rams are still a club close to his heart, and he explained that returning to the East Midlands is something he is open to at some point in his career.

“When I look back, leaving Derby felt like a personal failure," Elsnik explained.

"You didn't pass the test, and that's still with me. If I were to get a chance to come back to England, it would be just to prove to myself and everyone else that I can play at that level, which I know doesn't make sense, since I have played in the Champions League and the European Championships.

“But I would still love to go back just to experience the Championship or even the Premier League, if possible, just because of the culture.

“It's still in the back of my mind that I went there and couldn't do it; I couldn't help the first-team like I had planned to. Obviously, when you sign, you have big plans, big dreams, and I always kept saying to Rob that when I got released, you never know what could happen in the future.

“I would love to come back, but I don't know how realistic it is, given the level I'm playing at now," Elsnik admitted.

"Financially, it’s also difficult, but you never know, it would be like a dream come true and a perfect way to finish my career if I were signed by Derby and, as a player, get promoted to the Premier League.

“It’s like when you start a career on FIFA on the PlayStation, and you pick a team in the lower divisions, you keep playing until you get to the final stage, you win the Champions League. It would feel a bit like that with Derby. That's the ultimate dream.”

Timi Max Elsnik has had a good career following Derby County exit - could a return happen?

Even though he didn’t make the impact he would’ve wanted for the Rams, all connected to the club will be pleased to see how things have turned out for Elsnik.

Of course, he deserves huge credit for that, as he showed determination and quality to prove himself after he was released by Derby.

Now 27, he has already achieved a lot in the game, with the highlight undoubtedly playing for his country at a major tournament, but he will still feel there is more to come.

Clearly, Derby is a club that means a lot to him, and, given his pedigree, you would have to say he would offer a lot to the team in the middle of the park, even if John Eustace has some good players in the squad.

With David Ozoh only on loan from Crystal Palace though and likewise Bobby Clark from RB Salzburg, vacancies could crop up during the summer for a deeper midfielder, and especially if the Rams are promoted to the top flight, a move for Elsnik might make sense - and that's the only way it may work financially for the player too.