THE DISASTROUS SPELL OF ROKO SIMIC

Roko Simic has joined 2. Bundesliga side Karlsruher SC on loan for the 25/26, with an obligation to buy at the end of the season if the forward plays twenty games for his new side. Simic signed for The Bluebirds last summer, and endured a disastrous twelve months.

Roko Simic pre-match.

Roko Simic joined The Bluebirds last August, with City beating off the likes of Sunderland, Udinese, Dinamo Zagreb, Feyenoord and a Bundesliga side to the Croatian's signiture.

Cardiff's manager at the time of Simic's arrival, Erol Bulut, when asked about Simic's arrival quickly branded it a 'club signing' and showed very little interest in the Croatian's signing, showing just how much attention and approval he gave to the deal.

The Croatian joined City's sister club KV Kortrijk on loan, with Cardiff stating 'Simic’s signing comes with the Club’s long-term recruitment strategy in mind. The centre-forward will shortly go out on loan for the 2024/25 campaign. The 20-year-old’s development will be closely monitored throughout the season by Club staff.'

Things didn't go as hoped at De Kerels, with Simic making just the four appearances that amounted to 143 minutes. The striker picked up an injury in November, and returned to Cardiff in December to rehab with The Bluebirds.

Simic picked up an unusual injury in Belgium, meaning his rehab took a little while longer than expected, as of January, Simic had been out of training for two months, therefore understandably needed time to build himself back up. As Simic had been registered to three clubs already during the 24/25 season, Simic would remain in the Welsh Capital for the remainder of the season.

In February, Simic made his first U21 appearance, netting in the first half against Everton. Simic would be awarded with a place on the bench as City travelled to Stoke in the FA Cup the following weekend. Yousef Salech led the line for 120 minutes, despite beginning to slow down in the 70th-80th minute, with Omer Riza opting not to give Simic his debut, a pattern that sooner down the line began to reoccur.

The forward was on the bench for City's midweek trip to Portsmouth. City were trailing in the 82nd minute when Andy Rinomhota went down with an injury, despite City in desperate need of a goal, Riza opted to bring on a defender over Simic. City went onto lose.

Simic's form continued, netting in his next game for the 21's against Bristol City, as well as in an in-house friendly. Despite this, Simic didn't get recalled into the matchday squad for City's visit to Aston Villa in the FA Cup, despite heavy academy involvement. It's understood during this period, Simic was informed that he would remain with the U21 until the March international break, for both games and training. This despite underperforming attackers in the first team, and Simic's impressive strike rate for the U21's.

Simic was told during the break that he would remain with the U21's for the remainder of the season it's understood. At this point, the Croatian had netted an impressive five goals in seven games for the young Bluebirds. Simic added another two against Peterborough in his next game, and when Omer Riza was quizzed on the forward, the Ex-City boss almost downplayed Simic's impact and the level of the opposition, also stating that it wasn't the right time to give the forward an opportunity.

Simic did return to first team training at the beginning of April, and returned to the matchday squad in mid-April against Sheffield United, the forward wasn't originally planned to be in the squad, but Callum Robinson picked up an injury the day before the fixture. Cardiff were trailing late one when Rubin Colwill picked up an injury, and Omer Riza opted to bring on defender Joel Bagan over Simic. Riza was inevitably dismissed after the game at Bramall Lane, but Roko Simic seemed to be the biggest sufferer of the former City boss' ineptitude.

Despite this, Simic's poor luck continued. He was absent in City's matchday squad against Oxford United. Simic was understood to have been told he was in matchday squad for the following game against West Brom, before being told upon arrival at the stadium that wasn't the case. The 21 year-old was a part of the squad on the final day against Norwich City, but again failed to actually make it on the pitch.

It's understood Simic was keen on a move this summer after being left emotionally drained by the football club after a disastrous six months in the Welsh Capital. The 21 year-old has now completed a loan move to 2. Bundesliga side Karlsruher SC, signalling a fresh start to reignite the excitement around his name once again, that was there before his arrival at Cardiff.

Summary:

A story of pure disrespect. I hope Roko goes onto smash it and can live up to the hype that was once tipped for himself, he's got all the qualities to prove something at a great level.

As for Cardiff City, it's an embarrassing saga that they've left empty-handed with. Another great talent slips through our fingers.

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