A surprise transfer from Spain has emerged as Slovenia’s national team representative will play in Barcelona's top-tier league this season. The player in question is Vanja Drkušić, who has joined Espanyol from Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg. The move marks another milestone for Slovenian football, with Drkušić joining the Spanish side after previously playing for clubs such as Rennes, Brava, Genoa, and Zenit. Espanyol has signed Drkušić on loan until the end of the season, with an option to buy him outright. The 26-year-old defender, who played for Krško and Heerenveen in his youth, has been part of several clubs including Rennes, Brava, Genoa, and Zenit before moving to Spain. His performances have earned him a spot in the Slovenian national team, where he has made 30 appearances and scored one goal. In addition to Drkušić, another Slovenian player, Luka Kušić, has moved to Italian Serie A, joining Bologna. Kušić, an 18-year-old product of the homegrown academy, has already played 30 games for his former club Radomlje and scored three goals. His transfer was confirmed by Radomlje, which expressed pride in his achievement. According to reports from Tuttomercatoweb, Bologna has paid 250,000 euros in compensation for Kušić, who will be integrated into both the youth and senior squads. Espanyol has further strengthened its squad by signing several other players ahead of the new season. These include Quilindschy Hartman, Gabriel Moscard, Alex Calatravo, and Unai Nunez. The club is set to open their campaign against Levante in the opening round of La Liga, scheduled for Sunday. They will face Real Madrid in the second round, while their match against Athletic Bilbao is scheduled for mid-October. The timing of Drkušić’s transfer came just before he was set to join Greek club PAOK, according to media reports. The Spanish club, however, intervened and secured his services. The deal was facilitated by renowned sports director Mochi, who has previously worked successfully with clubs such as Sevilla, Roma, and Aston Villa. This move highlights the growing interest in Slovenian talent within European football. Both transfers underscore the progress being made by Slovenian players on the international stage. Drkušić’s move to Espanyol adds to the list of Slovenians competing in La Liga, following the likes of Igor Klose and others. Meanwhile, Kušić’s arrival at Bologna continues the trend of young Slovenian talents making their mark in Italy’s top flight. Both players are expected to contribute significantly to their respective teams during the upcoming season.
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