Nik Prelec has become the latest exciting signing for Oxford United this summer, with the striker joining from Serie A side Cagliari.
With impressive numbers at international youth level with Slovenia, and two strong seasons on loan in the Austrian Bundesliga in recent years, the 24-year-old is ready to make his mark with United in the Championship.
Here, we take a look back on his journey to date and how he has worked his way to Oxford United.
EARLY LIFE
Nik Prelec was born in the Slovenian city of Maribor on 10 June 2001. With a population of just over two million people, Slovenia has only been an independent nation since 1991, with the national team qualifying for four major tournaments in that time.
Nik’s career never took him to the well-known European side NK Maribor, instead playing for Kovinar Tezno in the city at a very young age. In 2014, he moved to Aluminij, a club just outside of his home city.
But at just 16-years-old, his big moment would arrive, as a move to Italy would kick start his professional career.
LEAVING FOR ITALY
1991 Serie A winners and 1992 European Cup runners-up, UC Sampdoria, came calling and Nik was on the move to the city of Genoa in 2017.
Having to leave family behind, at 16 Nik had to fight on his own to make it at this well-renowned club and progressed well through the youth teams.
In the 2020/21 season, the striker began to be involved in the matchday squads with Sampdoria, managed by the legendary Italian coach, Claudio Ranieri. In the side then were notable names such as Maya Yoshida, Mikkel Damsgaard, Gaston Ramirez, and Italian football great Fabio Quagliarella up front.
Leaving Sampdoria in 2022 to join WSG Tirol in Austria, he would return to Italy in 2023 to sign for Cagliari. In his first season there, he helped the team win promotion to Serie A, and it’s at this club which he leaves to join Oxford United.
INTERNATIONAL
Nik is capped at all youth levels for Slovenia, from Under-15 up to Under-21. Across all the age groups, he has 28 goals in 67 games, including 10 in 20 at Under-19 level.
At Under-21 level, he was part of a team which defeated England 2-1in Huddersfield, beating a squad with Morgan Gibbs-White, Emile Smith Rowe, Jacob Ramsey and Curtis Jones amongst many others. The year prior to that win, Prelec played in all three group games of Slovenia’s UEFA Euro Under-21 finals.
AUSTRIAN ADVENTURE
The first move to Austria came in 2022 with the permanent transfer to WSG Tirol, quickly making a name for himself with six goals in 13 league games over half a season, including a hat-trick against LASK.
Nik was back at the club for the 2023/24 season, this time on loan, scoring nine goals and proving five assists across the full campaign.
Sent on loan again for the 2024/25 season, this time, Nik moved to Austria Wien in the capital city. Once again, he bagged nine goals in the season, with four assists, helping his side to a third-place finish in the regular season.
