Marko Tolič: Slovan Bratislava Departure & New Role

Croatian football midfielder Marko Tolič is leaving Slovan Bratislava after 2.5 years.

He wore the “Belasý” jersey from the summer of 2023 and in the 2024/2025 season he was one of the key players on the way to the league stage of the Champions League. He should wear the Chinese jersey again Zheijang FC, says Fabrizio Romano.

His compatriot Niko Jankovič should replace him in Slovan. The attacking midfielder comes to Slovan from Rijeka on a one-year loan with the option of a permanent transfer.

He wants to try abroad

“First of all, I would like to thank Mark for everything he did for us and the performances he delivered for Slovan. He was a great professional, and he will also be thanked for the fact that he significantly helped us advance to the Champions League.

We talked a lot and discussed his future. I felt that Marko still wanted to try abroad. We accommodated him and released him now, finding a solution that was beneficial to both parties.

Our conversations took place in mutual respect and I am glad that although our paths diverge, we say goodbye in good terms and with gratitude.

Of course, Marko’s departure was conditional on earning an adequate compensation, which we will present to you soon,” said Ivan Kmotrík Jr., the club’s general director, for the official club website Slovana.

Tolič will remember his time in Slovan fondly. “I feel very proud to have been part of this great group of people. And by that I don’t just mean the players, but also the implementation team, all the people who work at Slovan, and of course, our fans.

They made me feel like a Slovak, even though I’m from abroad, and their support has always meant a lot to me. For me, life in Slovan was not only about football. I came to Bratislava with my family and children, who practically grew up with us in Slovakia since birth. It’s not easy to leave and say goodbye.

I have many memories, I experienced the greatest moments of my career in this stadium. Slovan will leave a strong impression on me forever. Once again, a big thank you to Bratislava, Slovan, people, fans. I am very grateful for what we experienced here together,” Tolič said.

According to Fabrizio Romano, he left Slovan for free and has already signed a contract with Zheijang FC in China.

Another Croatian is coming

Jankovič is a 24-year-old student of Dinamo Zagreb and already has championship titles in Zrinjski Mostar and Rijeka, where he played successful seasons 2023/24 and 2024/25. He scored a total of 19 goals in them, and in the previous year he participated in winning a double. He is a former youth representative of Croatia.

“The negotiations for the arrival of Niko Janković were very difficult and lengthy, ultimately with a successful end for us. We see huge potential in him and he was our first choice when looking for a replacement for the outgoing Marko Tolic.

In the last period, Niko had a minor game break, that is why we chose the form of an annual hosting until the end of January 2027 with the option of a permanent transfer. It was the option that was key for us in this agreement, we fought for it for a very long time and looked for an acceptable variant. We didn’t want to do it without this possibility.

We see great potential in Niko, we believe that he will confirm it and be of benefit to us,” emphasized Kmotrík Jr.

Slovan is a new challenge for Jankovič. “I am very much looking forward to wearing the Slovan Bratislava jersey. I have already played at Tehelno poli once, I remember the incredible atmosphere created by the excellent fans.

That’s also why I’m so looking forward to coming to Bratislava. I want to contribute to the achievement of the goals that are always the highest in this club, which I am used to. I wanted to come here, I preferred this option, and now I can’t wait for what’s ahead and for the first time I run out in the white jersey on Tehelné polé.”