Oxford United are delighted to announce the signing of Nik Prelec on a season-long loan with an option to buy, subject to international clearance.
The 24-year-old striker joins from Serie A side Cagliari, having spent the last two seasons on loan in the Austrian Bundesliga.
A former Slovenia Under-21 international, Prelec scored nine times for Austria Wien last season, helping them to a third-place finish in the regular season.
With 12 goals from 30 appearances for Slovenia’s Under 19 & 21 sides, he also had 27 goal contributions for WSG Tirol and Austria Wien in the last two seasons.
“I’m really excited to get started, knowing I’m going to be playing in the Championship with Oxford United,” Prelec said upon signing. “This is a big opportunity and chance for me in my career.
“I had some good conversations with the people in the Club about the project and they really convinced me that this is the place to be.
“This is what I love. I put in everything I can every day to be better, and I feel ready for this move.
“Hopefully the fans will see a lot of goals, work rate, and someone who fights for the team. I can’t wait to get that first goal in front of the fans. I understand the Championship is a different challenge and I want to make my mark.”
Head Coach, Gary Rowett, said: “Nik has a lot of strong qualities which makes this an exciting signing for the Club.
“He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with a good goalscoring record in a highly competitive Austrian league.
“He brings a really imposing threat to the top end of our team and has fantastic experience for his age. We hope he will be an important player and help to complement the rest of our team.”
Head of Football Operations, Ed Waldron, said: “We are very pleased to have brought Nik to the Club.
“We have scoured Europe to recruit a striker, and Nik is exactly the profile we were looking for. His physicality, intelligence and work rate made him the standout candidate and a strong fit for the vision we have for this squad.
“He has shown great consistency over the last few seasons in Austria and that he can deliver big moments when it matters. We’re confident he can become an important figure on the pitch and in the dressing room.”
Nik will wear the number 16 shirt and will join the squad next week in the lead up to the opening Championship fixture against Portsmouth.
Everyone at Oxford United welcomes Nik to the Club.
Get your 2025/26 home and away shirts with Prelec 16 printing for the first game of the season.
