Key Points
- German 2. Bundesliga outfit 1. FC Magdeburg are finalising terms with Cardiff City over a loan deal for striker Roko Šimić, featuring an option to buy.
- The 22-year-old Croatian attacker spent the 2025/26 season in Germany on loan at Karlsruher SC, scoring three goals across 28 total appearances.
- Šimić is currently in Magdeburg undergoing his medical checks, though exact structural terms between the two clubs remain under negotiation.
- The forward remains under contract with parent club Cardiff City until the summer of 2028.
Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) August 19, 2026 — 1. FC Magdeburg have advanced into the final negotiations with English Football League side Cardiff City regarding a temporary move for Croatian forward Roko Šimić. As reported by Sky Germany, the 2. Bundesliga side have established an agreement in principle with the Bluebirds to sign the 22-year-old attacker on an initial loan arrangement that includes an option for a permanent transfer.
Will Roko Šimić Complete His Move to 2. Bundesliga Side Magdeburg?
According to reporting by Sky Germany, the Croatian striker has already arrived in Magdeburg to undertake mandatory medical examinations ahead of his proposed signature. While the two clubs have agreed upon the broader terms of the loan with a option to buy, discussions remain ongoing regarding the finer details and structural distribution of the transaction before official paperwork is signed.
The prospective transfer marks a return to German football for Šimić, who spent the 2025/26 campaign on loan at fellow 2. Bundesliga side Karlsruher SC. During his spell with Karlsruhe, the centre-forward registered three goals in 28 appearances across all competitions.
Šimić joined Cardiff City from Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg in August 2024, signing a long-term contract in South Wales that runs until June 2028.
Following his arrival at Cardiff, the striker spent the initial half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Belgian Pro League side KV Kortrijk before moving on loan to Karlsruher SC for the subsequent campaign.
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What Is the Background Behind Roko Šimić’s Transfer from Cardiff City?
The son of former AC Milan and Croatia defender Dario Šimić, Roko Šimić emerged through the youth academy at Lokomotiva Zagreb before completing a transfer to Red Bull Salzburg in July 2021 for a reported fee of €4 million.
During his tenure in Austria, Šimić gained European experience, making appearances in the UEFA Champions League and spending developmental loan spells at FC Liefering and Swiss Super League club FC Zürich.
Following his move to Cardiff City in August 2024 for an estimated €2 million fee, Cardiff opted to send the forward out on consecutive loans to facilitate regular playing time.
Having completed his spell at Karlsruher SC, 1. FC Magdeburg identified the 1.90-metre striker as a target to bolster their attacking options for the upcoming season.
How Could This Transfer Affect Magdeburg and Cardiff City?
For 1. FC Magdeburg, securing Šimić provides added physical presence and continental experience to their frontline. If the option to buy is executed, Magdeburg could secure a long-term attacking asset who possesses experience in both European competition and the 2. Bundesliga.
For Cardiff City, the agreement allows the South Wales club to manage squad depth and player wages while retaining financial protection through the potential purchase option, given Šimić’s contractual commitment until 2028. For the player, a move to Magdeburg offers a stable platform to establish consistent form in German football following successive loan periods.
