Timi Elsnik has now revealed what he’s doing for Derby County supporters ahead of Slovenia’s clash with England at Euro 2024.
Timi Elsnik was captured for Derby’s academy in the summer of 2015.
The Slovenian quickly made a big impression at Pride Park as he claimed the Scholar of the Year award in his first campaign.
Rewarded with a new three-year contract with the club, Elsnik would have hoped to make a first-team breakthrough however, he was denied that opportunity and was instead sent on three different loans to Mansfield Town, Swindon Town and Northampton Town.
He featured 58 times across those spells away from Derbyshire, although he didn’t impress enough to earn appearances in the senior setup and was released in 2019 when Frank Lampard was manager.
Now starring for NK Olimpija, Elsnik has just made a massive gesture to some Derby supporters ahead of Slovenia’s clash against England at Euro 2024.
Timi Elsnik makes a brilliant gesture to Derby County fans
Slovenia’s hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 hang in the balance as they approach their final group game against the Three Lions.
Draws against Serbia and Denmark have placed the Dragons third in the group, realistically needing at least a point against England to secure their passage beyond the group stage.
Elsnik – who has started both of their games at Euro 2024 – will have the support of many heading into the clash.
The 26-year-old has flown out some of the fans he lived with in digs during his time at Derby as an amazing gesture.
Dubbing it a “surreal experience”, Elsnik wants them to see how far he’s come since his days as a teenager in Derbyshire to now flourishing on the international stage.
Speaking on the Between the Lines podcast, the midfielder said: “I also have my second family where I lived in digs in Derby.
“I’ve brought them over to see me play against England. It will be a surreal experience. They had this kid staying with them and now he’s playing against England.
“They are also going to be cheering for Slovenia for me, but if we knock out England I don’t know how happy they are going to be.
“I see so many messages (from Derby). They are happy I was one of them, but they are a bit sad why they didn’t keep me.”
Derby would take Timi Elsnik now
Elsnik was an outcast at Derby and wasn’t given a chance to impress in the first-team.
At the time, it was probably the correct decision as Lampard signed the likes of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Harry Wilson on loan in the 2018 transfer window.
The Slovenian star has since revived his career at NK Olimpija, though, and now has a massive opportunity to make a name for himself on the big stage.
England are already through to the round of 16 however, pulling off a victory over one of the tournament favourites would arguably be the greatest moment of his career so far.
Elsnik has flourished into a fine player since leaving Derby in 2019 and given Paul Warne’s current lack of options in midfield, he’s a player he would surely take currently.
The post 'I see so many messages': Tim Elsnik shares incredible Derby County gesture ahead of England v Slovenia appeared first on Derby County News.