Cardiff City striker Roko Simic has left the club on loan to join German side Karlsruher SCCardiff City striker Roko Simic has joined Karlsruher SC on loan (Image: Karlsruher SC)

Cardiff City have confirmed the loan exit of Roko Simic, with the Croatian striker joining Karlsruher SC for the 2025/26 season.

Simic’s exit comes hot on the heels of Michael Reindorf, who has linked up with Newport County for the upcoming campaign.

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In a short statement, the Bluebirds said: “Forward Roko Šimić has joined Karlsruher SC on loan for the 2025/26 season.

“We’d like to wish Roko all the very best for the upcoming campaign.”

Karlsruher SC are a German second division club with big ambitions, it would seem, with the club lauding the move as “unthinkable” just a short time ago.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge at KSC and the 2nd Bundesliga,” Simic told the club’s website.

“Mario Eggimann gave me a clear picture of my role and the path ahead during our discussions.

“This, along with the prospect of playing time at a high level, quickly convinced me.

“I want to help the team with goals and my energy, and I can hardly wait to play at the BBBank Wildpark.”

Mario Eggimann, sporting director, added: “I sensed from the start that Roko was passionate about his new challenge at KSC. We met at the end of last season at the BBBank Wildpark and immediately had a very good conversation.

“Since we’ve been observing Roko for some time, we naturally knew his quality. Roko is a modern centre-forward with a strong physique, good technique and a strong goal-scoring instinct. Overall, the signing was the result of excellent work and collaboration, including from the coaching staff and squad planning.”

Michael Becker, spokesman for the management, concluded: “Roko’s transfer impressively demonstrates the spheres in which KSC can now operate as a result of its new strategy.

“A short time ago, such a signing would have been unthinkable for us. We are all the more pleased to have convinced a player of Roko’s quality to join KSC.”

Simic’s departure leaves Cardiff with two senior strikers in the forms of Yousef Salech and Callum Robinson, while Kion Etete and Isaak Davies are also options.