Northampton Town: Derby County loanee's career path is something of a surprise - View | OneFootball

24-year-old international in Champions League switch

Slovenia's national team pushed Portugal all the way in the European Championships Round of 16, with a former Northampton Town man playing a vital role.

Timi Max Elšnik, a former Northampton loan signing, played 105 minutes of the knockout game before being substituted as Slovenia were cruelly knocked out of Euro 2024 by 2016 winners, Portugal, on penalties.

The 26-year-old has since made the switch from Olimpija Ljubljana to Champions League competing Serbian outfit Red Star Belgrade.

Premier League sides Leicester City and Southampton were credited with having an interest in Elšnik, who's Euro 2024 exploits made him a highly sought-after man this summer.

Elsnik's career before and after Northampton

In 2015, the Slovenian began his career as a scholar with the Rams, quick progression through the academy ranks saw Elšnik given the opportunity to feature in the senior level twice as an 18-year-old.

After winning the club's Scholar of the Year award, as well as making a game-changing cameo against Carlisle United in the League Cup, Elšnik signed a three-year deal to extend his stay until 2019.

However, Elšnik would struggle to display his talent and make the big breakthrough into the senior squad; loans at Swindon Town and Mansfield Town would follow.

League Two Northampton signed the 20-year-old on loan from Derby County in January 2019 after he impressed at Mansfield in the first half of the campaign. Elšnik showed glimpses of his talent during his time at the club, but was released by Derby on his return to the club.

Elšnik moved to Ljubljana a year after his Northampton spell, he quickly became somewhat of a legend in the capital, earning his first international call-up in 2021 and winning the title in 2023.

Elsnik announcing himself on the European stage

Elšnik certainly made his mark at the tournament this summer, but arguably his best cameo came against the nation where he used to ply his trade.

In a 0-0 draw in the group stages against the eventual finalists, Elšnik rose to the challenge of a midfield battle against the likes of Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, Arsenal's Declan Rice and Chelsea's Conor Gallagher.

As well as his impressive cameo against the Three Lions, the former Town player provided an assist for Zan Karnicnik's goal against Serbia which proved vital in Slovenia's qualification from the group, before playing more than his part on the other side of possession for large periods against Portugal.

Elsnik's unique path has made him what he is today

While Elšnik didn't quite leave a legacy like previous Northampton players such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ivan Toney, who have all gone on to play on the international stage, Northampton's involvement in his pathway to the top is unique and certainly not like Town fans have seen previous with players who have gone onto bigger things.

Derby especially might feel they should've held out and given the Slovenian more time. However, it is not for certain that Elšnik would've benefited from the traditional practices of English football. Elšnik has flourished from his unique pathway and may not be where he is today without it.

Despite showing glimpses of his talent at Sixfields and Pride Park, Northampton and Derby fans alike would not have expected the unique career that the former youth talent has forged away from English football, which will see him regularly appear on the biggest of stages next season.