Roko Šimić
{{short description|Croatian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Roko Šimić
| image = FC Red Bull Salzburg gegen Linzer ASK (2022-10-01) 08.jpg
| upright =
| caption = Šimić with Red Bull Salzburg in 2022
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|09|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = Milan, Italy
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Cardiff City
| clubnumber = 31
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2011
| youthclubs1 = Dinamo Zagreb
| youthyears2 = 2011–2015
| youthclubs2 = Kustošija
| youthyears3 = 2015–2020
| youthclubs3 = Lokomotiva Zagreb
| years1 = 2020–2021
| clubs1 = Lokomotiva Zagreb
| caps1 = 25
| goals1 = 3
| years2 = 2021–2024
| clubs2 = Red Bull Salzburg
| caps2 = 38
| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 2021–2022
| clubs3 = → FC Liefering (loan)
| caps3 = 24
| goals3 = 19
| years4 = 2023
| clubs4 = → Zürich (loan)
| caps4 = 16
| goals4 = 4
| years5 = 2024–
| clubs5 = Cardiff City
| caps5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2024–2025
| clubs6 = → Kortrijk (loan)
| caps6 = 4
| goals6 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2017
| nationalteam1 = Croatia U15
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2018–2019
| nationalteam2 = Croatia U16
| nationalcaps2 = 13
| nationalgoals2 = 3
| nationalyears3 = 2019–2020
| nationalteam3 = Croatia U17
| nationalcaps3 = 9
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| nationalyears4 = 2021–2024
| nationalteam4 = Croatia U21
| nationalcaps4 = 20
| nationalgoals4 = 8
| club-update = 23:49, 13 December 2024 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 17 October 2023
}}
Roko Šimić (born 10 September 2003) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a forward for {{English football updater|CardiffC}} club Cardiff City.
Career
= Lokomotiva Zagreb =
Šimić made his senior debut for Lokomotiva Zagreb on 16 August 2020 in a 6–0 league defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, getting substituted on for Indrit Tuci in the 66th minute. He was given an opportunity by coach Goran Tomić due to the club's lack of squad depth.{{Cite web|last=Šola|first=Robert|date=16 August 2020|title=VIDEO: Šest golova na Maksimiru! Majer prvo ime večeri, zabio je dvaput i asistirao Dinamovom povratniku|url=https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/hnl/video-sest-golova-na-maksimiru-majer-prvo-ime-veceri-zabio-je-dvaput-i-asistirao-dinamovom-povratniku-15013881|access-date=30 July 2021|website=Sportske novosti|language=hr-hr}} During the season, which was marked by Lokomotiva's struggle to preserve the first league status,{{Cite web|last=Jurišić|first=Predrag|date=12 July 2021|title=Gotovo je, sin HR-legende odlazi - odmah! Pao je rekordni transfer nakon velikog preokreta|url=https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/hnl/gotovo-je-sin-hr-legende-odlazi-odmah-pao-je-rekordni-transfer-nakon-velikog-preokreta-15087585|access-date=30 July 2021|website=Sportske novosti|language=hr-hr}} Šimić made 26 appearances and scored four goals.{{Cite web|last=|date=30 July 2021|title=Video: Sin legendarnog Vatrenog oduševio odmah na startu! Majstor zabio nakon samo jedne minute na terenu|url=https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/nogomet-mix/video-sin-legendarnog-vatrenog-odusevio-odmah-na-startu-majstor-zabio-nakon-samo-jedne-minute-na-terenu-15091933|access-date=30 July 2021|website=Sportske novosti|language=hr-hr}} He scored his debut goal for Lokomotiva on 7 October 2020, in a 3–2 victory over Gaj Mače in the Croatian Cup.{{Cite web|last=Lacković|first=Elvis|date=7 October 2020|title=Fantastični Gaj odveo Lokose do produžetaka|url=http://www.zagorje.com/mobile/clanak/vijesti/fantasticni-gaj-odveo-lokose-do-produzetaka|access-date=30 July 2021|website=Zagorje.com|language=hr}} His debut league goals came on 21 April 2021 when he scored a brace in the 4–0 victory over Varaždin.{{Cite web|last=Galić|first=Mato|date=22 April 2021|title='Pokojnoj dadilji Elis posvetio sam golove protiv Varaždina'|url=https://www.24sata.hr/sport/pokojnoj-dadilji-elis-posvetio-sam-golove-protiv-varazdina-757960|access-date=30 July 2021|website=24sata|language=hr}}{{Cite web|last=Hrnčić|first=Fabijan|date=26 April 2021|title=Roka Šimića prati RB Salzburg!|url=https://www.24sata.hr/amp/sport/roka-simica-prati-rb-salzburg-758718|access-date=30 July 2021|website=24sata|language=hr}}
= Red Bull Salzburg =
The first rumours that Red Bull Salzburg was following Šimić appeared in April 2021 in Kleine Zeitung.{{Cite web|last=Sebestyen|first=Markus|date=26 April 2021|title=Dutt in Wolfsberg: "Der Fokus liegt auf den Spielen, wir wollen jetzt keine Ablenkung"|url=https://www.kleinezeitung.at/sport/5971030/|access-date=30 July 2021|website=Kleine Zeitung|language=de}} Šimić signed a three-year deal with the Austrian club on 18 July 2021.{{Cite web|date=17 July 2021|title=Roko Šimić|url=https://www.redbullsalzburg.at/en/squad/roko-simic|access-date=30 July 2021|website=FC Red Bull Salzburg|language=en}} With income of €4 million, it is Lokomotiva's most expensive transfer surpassing that of Ivo Grbić to Atlético Madrid. Despite the initial plan to leave the player at Lokomotiva on loan for half a season, he moved to Austria immediately and joined Salzburg's feeder club FC Liefering.{{Cite web|date=17 July 2021|title=New striker from Croatia|url=https://www.redbullsalzburg.at/en/fc-red-bull-salzburg/news/saison_2021_22/new-striker-from-croatia.html|access-date=30 July 2021|website=FC Red Bull Salzburg|language=en}} He made his debut for Liefering on 30 July 2021, getting substituted on for Dijon Kameri in the 46th minute, and scored his debut goal within a minute in a 2–1 victory over St. Pölten. On 10 October, he extended his contract with Salzburg until 2025, after impressing the club executives by scoring six goals in nine league appearances and two goals in two Youth League appearances.{{Cite web|date=10 October 2021|title=Salzburg verlängert Vertrag mit Roko Simic bis 2025|url=https://www.kicker.de/salzburg-verlaengert-vertrag-mit-roko-simic-bis-2025-874303/artikel|access-date=10 October 2021|website=Kicker|language=de-DE}}{{Cite web|last=Bradovski|first=Mihaela|date=10 October 2021|title=Roko Šimić stavio potpis na produženje ugovora s RB Salzburgom|url=https://sportnet.rtl.hr/vijesti/555636/nogomet-ostale-lige/roko-simic-stavio-potpis-na-produzenje-ugovora-s-rb-salzburgom/|access-date=10 October 2021|website=Sportnet|language=hr}} On 20 October 2021, he made his senior team and Champions League debut, replacing Noah Okafor in the 87th minute of the 3–1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg.{{Cite web|last=HINA|date=20 October 2021|title=Barcelona slavila na Camp Nou, debi Roka Šimića u Ligi prvaka i velika pobjeda Salzburga|url=https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/liga-prvaka/barcelona-slavila-na-camp-nou-debi-roka-simica-u-ligi-prvaka-i-velika-pobjeda-salzburga-15111766|access-date=20 October 2021|website=Sportske novosti|language=hr-hr}} Four days later, he made his league debut for the senior team, replacing Karim Adeyemi in the 87th minute of the 4–1 victory over Sturm Graz. During Salzburg's path to the Youth League Final, Šimić contributed seven goals and three assists, making him the joint-top goalscorer of the competition together with Mads Hansen and Aral Şimşir.{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |date=25 April 2022 |title=Benfica end title wait: 2021/22 at a glance |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/news/0274-14feb8bc11a4-ebac73b31de8-1000--benfica-end-title-wait-2021-22-at-a-glance/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=UEFA |language=en}}
On 5 January 2023, Šimić joined reigning Swiss Super League champions Zürich on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.fcz.ch/pages/news/roko-simic-wechselt-leihweise-zum-fcz|title=ROKO SIMIC WECHSELT LEIHWEISE ZUM FC ZÜRICH|website=www.fcz.ch|language=German|date=5 January 2023|accessdate=5 January 2023}} He scored two goals on his debut on 21 January 2023 against FC Luzern, after entering the game only in the 77th minute.{{cite news |date=21 January 2023 |title=Roko Šimić zablistao u debiju |trans-title=Roko Šimić shined in his debut |url=https://www.vecernji.hr/sport/video-roko-simic-zablistao-s-dva-pogotka-prvi-je-pravo-remek-djelo-mladog-hrvata-1651068 |work=Večernji list |language=hr |location=Zagreb |accessdate=22 January 2023}}
On 20 September 2023, he scored his first Champions League goal by netting a penalty in a 2–0 away win over Benfica.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2039185--benfica-vs-salzburg/ |title=Benfica 0–2 Salzburg |publisher=UEFA |date=20 September 2023 }}
= Cardiff City =
On 30 August 2024, Šimić signed a four-year contract with Cardiff City.{{cite web|publisher=Cardiff City|url=https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/roko-simic-agrees-four-year-contract|title=Roko Simic agrees four-year contract|date=30 August 2024|access-date=2 September 2024}} Two days later, he was loaned to Kortrijk in Belgium for one season.{{cite web|publisher=K.V. Kortrijk|url=https://www.kvk.be/nieuws/de-nieuwste/|title=Roko Simic naar het Guldensporenstadion|trans-title=Roko Simic to the Guldensporen Stadium|date=1 September 2024|access-date=2 September 2024|language=}} The loan was terminated on 6 January 2025.{{cite web|publisher=Kortrijk|url=https://www.kvk.be/nieuws/volgende-winteraanwinst-voor-kvk/|title=Tsunoda is terug een Kerel|trans-title=Tsunoda is back to being a guy|date=6 January 2025|access-date=9 January 2025|language=nl}}
Personal life
He is the son of former footballer Dario Šimić and his wife Jelena Medić,{{cite web|date=22 January 2020|title=Talented Croatian footballer following in his father's footsteps|url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/talented-croatian-footballer-following-in-his-fathers-footsteps/|website=Croatia Week|accessdate=10 October 2021}} and was born in Milan during his father's stint with AC Milan.{{Cite web|date=12 September 2021|title=Put Roka Šimića mimo Dinama od Kustošije do Red Bull Salzburga|url=https://www.nacional.hr/put-roka-simica-mimo-dinama-od-kustosije-do-red-bull-salzburga/|access-date=10 October 2021|website=Nacional|language=hr}} He has three brothers – Viktor, Nikolas and David.{{cite web|url=https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/hotsport/cak-tri-sina-legendarnog-vatrenog-krenula-putem-slavnoga-oca-jedan-je-vec-zakoracio-u-elitu-sa-samo-16-godina-vec-je-prikljucen-prvoj-momcadi/9799336/|title=ČAK TRI SINA LEGENDARNOG VATRENOG KRENULA PUTEM SLAVNOGA OCA! JEDAN JE VEĆ ZAKORAČIO U ELITU Sa samo 16 godina već je priključen prvoj momčadi!|first=Robert|last=Matteoni|work=Sportske novosti|date=30 December 2019|language=hr|access-date=10 October 2021}} He is also a nephew of Josip Šimić. Roko Šimić is also confirmation sponsor of Lukas Kačavenda,{{Cite web|last=Junaci|first=Robert|date=8 October 2021|title=Dario Šimić otkrio posebnu povezanost dva mlada vatrena: Ovo još niste znali|url=https://www.vecernji.hr/sport/dario-simic-otkrio-posebnu-povezanost-dva-mlada-vatrena-ovo-jos-niste-znali-1529194|access-date=10 October 2021|website=Večernji list|language=hr}} and a distant relative of Herzegovinian hajduk Andrijica Šimić,{{cite web |title=VIDEO: 110. godina od smrti hajduka Andrijice Šimića |url=http://www.grude-online.info/video-110-godina-od-smrti-hajduka-andrijice-simica/ |website=Grude Online |access-date=10 October 2021 |language=hr |date=5 February 2015}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played 3 November 2024}}{{Soccerway|roko-imi/640527|accessdate=13 December 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Croatian Cup and Austrian Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Lokomotiva Zagreb
|25 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 4 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Red Bull Salzburg
|1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name="UCL"|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23
|Austrian Bundesliga |9 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2{{efn|name="UCL"}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 1 | ||
| 2023–24
|Austrian Bundesliga |28 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 6{{efn|name="UCL"}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 6 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!38 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 53 | 7 | ||
| FC Liefering (loan)
|24 | 19 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 19 | |||
| Zürich (loan)
|16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 4 | |||
| Cardiff City
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Kortrijk (loan)
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!107 | 31 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 34 |
;Notes
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|roko-imi/640527}}
- {{CFF player|217314/roko-simic}}
{{Commons category|Roko Šimić}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simic, Roko}}
Category:Footballers from Milan
Category:Croatian men's footballers
Category:Croatia men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Croatia men's youth international footballers
Category:Italian men's footballers
Category:Italian people of Croatian descent
Category:Italian people of Bosnia and Herzegovina descent
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:NK Lokomotiva Zagreb players
Category:FC Red Bull Salzburg players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:K.V. Kortrijk players
Category:Croatian Football League players
Category:2. Liga (Austria) players
Category:Austrian Football Bundesliga players
Category:Swiss Super League players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:Croatian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Croatian expatriate sportspeople in Austria
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Austria
Category:Croatian expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Switzerland
Category:Croatian expatriate sportspeople in Wales
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Wales
Category:Croatian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium