A player Frank Lampard released from Derby County in 2019 is now set to star for his nation at Euro 2024.
Derby County are a club on the up under David Clowes.
Following his takeover in July 2022, the Rams finished narrowly outside the play-offs before winning promotion to the Championship; Paul Warne’s fourth triumph from League One.
Derby are now preparing for their campaign in the second tier, with Warne already making calls to multiple players ahead of the window opening on June 14th.
For all of their success on the pitch, the club doesn’t have any recognition internationally with no one from Warne’s squad gearing up for a campaign at Euro 2024.
However, there is one player Frank Lampard released from the club in 2019 who is now set to star for his nation and that is Timi Max Elsnik.
Who is Timi Max Elsnik
Timi Elsnik joined Derby County’s academy in the summer of 2015.
The Slovenian quickly made a big impression at Pride Park, winning the Scholar of the Year Award in his first season which saw him pen a new three-year contract at the club, taking him to 2019.
Elsnik enjoyed loan spells at Mansfield Town, Swindon Town and Northampton Town, the latter of which came about after Derby seemingly tried to cash in on him.
Despite playing 58 times across those three spells, he was never called upon in the first-team and when Lampard arrived at the club, his chances of breaking through were lessened.
The Chelsea legend used his contacts in the Premier League to sign Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Harry Wilson all on loan, with Elsnik eventually released from his contract in 2019 after Derby lost to Aston Villa in the play-off final.
Elsnik signed for NK Olimpija, a side in the Slovenian first tier, with the 26-year-old also playing a prominent role for his country.
Tim Max Elsnik will star for Slovenia at Euro 2024
Elsnik has been at his current club for five years now and has made 158 appearances.
This season, though, was by far his most productive as the “fantastic” midfielder produced 10 goals and six assists from midfield, including three strikes in Europa Conference League qualifying.
Whilst Derby were fighting to get out of League One in 2023/24, Elsnik played five times in Europe as Olimpija finished third in their group, claiming victories over KI and Slovan Bratislava.
The Rams academy graduate has also starred on the international stage for his nation, playing eight of their 10 games in Euro 2024 qualifying as Slovenia finished second in their group to book their place in the tournament.
Slovenia find themselves in a group with England, Denmark and Serbia at Euro 2024, so there is a huge chance the 15-cap international will play against the Three Lions.
From being released by Derby in 2019 to now being set to play at Euro 2024, it’s been an incredible couple of years for Elsnik, who will want to lead his nation deep into the tournament.
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