Slovan Bratislava midfielder Tolić nearing transfer to Zhejiang FC

Marko Tolić could soon be on the move, with reports from Chinese media suggesting that the 29-year-old midfielder is close to leaving ŠK Slovan Bratislava and continuing his career in China.

According to those reports, Tolić is nearing a transfer to Zhejiang FC, with negotiations said to be in an advanced stage. It is claimed that final talks and logistical details are being handled in Dubai, after which the deal could be officially completed. For now, neither club has issued formal confirmation.

A key factor easing the negotiations is the fact that Tolić’s contract with Slovan expires at the end of the season, significantly strengthening Zhejiang’s position at the negotiating table.

Tolić developed in the Zagreb football environment and made his senior breakthrough with Lokomotiva Zagreb, following several loan spells in the lower tiers. His performances eventually earned him a move to Dinamo Zagreb in 2020, where he won the Croatian league title and cup, before also spending time on loan at NK Maribor.

Dinamo later sold Tolić to Slovan Bratislava in 2023 for a reported fee of around €1 million. In Slovakia, he established himself as a regular squad member, gained further European experience, and won the league title twice with the Bratislava side.

His potential new club, Zhejiang FC, compete in the Chinese Super League and are based in Hangzhou, playing their home matches at the Huanglong Sports Center. Founded in 1998, the club has stabilised near the top of Chinese football in recent years, finishing third in the league in both 2022 and 2023.

Zhejiang recently parted ways with Croatian midfielder Franko Andrijašević, but appear keen to maintain a Croatian presence in the squad. According to Transfermarkt, Tolić is valued at €2.5 million and would become Zhejiang’s second most valuable player, behind Romanian international Alexandru Mitriță.