Rangers hero Nikica Jelavic has returned to European football, signing for Croatian top-flight club NK Lokomotiva after four years in China.
Lokomotiva, who finished second in the Prva HNL last season, announced the signing of the 35-year-old on Monday.
The length of the striker’s deal hasn’t been disclosed, but he appears to have joined for the entirety of the 2020/21 campaign.
Jelavic last played club football in Croatia in 2007 for Hadjuk Split and now makes a surprising return after stints in Belgium, Austria, Scotland, England and China.
“After 13 years, I returned to the HNL,” he told nklokomotiva.hr [translated]. “Nostalgia and the desire to be with my family in Zagreb ruled. Although I recently turned 35, I can help the team with my games and advice and guide young players.”
“Lokomotiva played the best football in the league last season and I believe that as time goes on, it will get better and better.
“A two-week HNL break due to national team matches will come in handy, in order to fit in better with the game team and hone its form.”
Jelavic only spent 18 months at Rangers between 2010 and 2012 but he left with hero status after scoring 36 times in 56 appearances in all competitions, including a dramatic extra-time winner against Celtic in the 2011 League Cup final.
After leaving Ibrox for a fee in the region of £5 million [Telegraph], he fulfilled his dream of playing in the Premier League with Everton, Hull and West Ham, before heading to China in 2016.
The former Croatian international produced strong returns during a season at Beijing Renhe before joining Guizhou Zhicheng in 2018 following a loan spell.
