"Sunderland were close" – 21-year-old reveals summer approach before joining another Championship side
09/13/2024 04:16 AM
Roko Šimić had options to join Sunderland and a few other clubs before sealing a move to Cardiff City on deadline day.
Cardiff City signed the 21-year-old from Red Bull Salzburg and offered him a four-year deal. The Championship side immediately sent him out on loan to KV Kortrijk.
The Cardiff City man has been speaking to Kortrijk's official website, and talkedabout Sunderland's approach in the last window.
On August 22nd, Germanijak stated the striker was in England to carry out medical tests with the Black Cats. It was also reported Sunderland didn't manage to find an agreement with the Austrian side.
The player hasn't explained why he didn't end up at the Stadium of Light. However, Šimić has confirmed he came close to joining Régis Le Bris' side, before his move to Cardiff City. As well as Sunderland, Udinese, Dinamo Zagreb and other clubs wanted to sign him.
"Sunderland were close. My first club, Dinamo Zagreb, also wanted me. There was interest from Udinese and some other clubs, but that is no longer important. Now I’m here. And I feel good here: I feel peace and tranquillity in the club and that is important to me," he said.
The Croatia U21 international had also received advice from his compatriot, Ivan Santini, to join the Jupiler Pro League side. The 35-year-old spent two years at Kortrijk between 2013 and 2015 and knows the club and the league very well.
Šimić managed six goals and two assists from 38 matches for Red Bull Salzburg last season.
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