Oxford United have officially signed Slovenian forward Nik Prelec on loan from Serie A side Cagliari, with a buy obligation clause included in the deal.

The 24-year-old joins the U’s looking to reignite his form and fire Oxford’s attack during the upcoming League One campaign.

From Italy to Austria — and Now the Kassam Stadium

Prelec struggled to break into the first team at Cagliari, spending the last two seasons on loan in Austria with WSG Tirol and Austria Wien. During his time in the Austrian Bundesliga, he bagged 8 and 6 goals respectively, showing glimpses of his goalscoring prowess.

His standout stint came with WSG Tirol, where he scored 6 goals in just 13 appearances during the 2022–23 season — form that undoubtedly caught Oxford’s attention.

A Well-Traveled Talent with Serious Potential

Prelec’s professional journey has already taken him across Europe. He began at Sampdoria, had a brief loan at Olimpija Ljubljana, and continued his development with consistent game time in Austria. Now, he’s set for his first taste of English football — and Oxford are betting on his firepower up front.

Why Oxford United Made the Move

With a contract at Cagliari running until June 2027, this loan move represents a smart bit of business for Oxford. The buy obligation clause shows the club’s long-term faith in Prelec’s ability to deliver.