Everton Sime Vrsaljko
(Credit: Inter and Imago)
Max Wilkins
Wed 2 July 2025 8:29, UK
Sime Vrsaljko has spoken out about a failed move to Everton.
The former Croatia international is now retired at 33, but once had the opportunity to sign for the Toffees under Roberto Martinez.
In the end, the right back opted against a move to Goodison Park before going on to play for the likes of Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.
Now, speaking in court back in his homeland, Vrsaljko has revealed why he opted against a move to Merseyside over 10 years ago.
Goodison Park
Sime Vrsaljko turned down a move to Everton in 2013 (Credit: Imago)
Vrsaljko shares Everton snub reveal in court
It is fair to say that the former defender went on to have a positive career, culminating in reaching the World Cup final back in 2018.
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As a result, it was hugely disappointing that the Croatian was forced to retire at just 31 years old after a succession of injury problems.
Despite this, the ex-Inter man hasn’t been able to move on from his playing days after being forced to re-live events in front of a jury.
This comes after former agent Mario Mamic pleaded guilty to embezzling money from his boyhood club Dinamo Zagreb.
The 42-year-old allegedly played a role in a criminal organisation, alongside his father, that defended GNK of over £16.3million between 2004 and 2015.
Reports suggest that this was done through years’ worth of contracts and invoices for non-existent services for transfer dealings, which Dimano paid to offshore accounts, supposedly related to the Mamic’s.
Despite not being directly involved, Vrsjalko has been stood up in court after becoming a client of the defendant at the age of 14.
This saw the former Atleti defender reveal that earlier in his career, he turned down a move to Everton in favour of a switch to Genoa.
Speaking in court, as per Croatian outlet 24Sata (1 July), he said: “I don’t remember today the name of Mario Mamić’s agency with which I signed a representation contract. I didn’t have to pay him for those services.
“He offered me an improved contract to sign because I was considered a promising player at the time, and he said that it was a better contract for me.
“At one point, Mario told me that Genoa from Italy and Everton from England were interested in me. I liked Genoa’s offer and I told him that I would like to go there. We went to Italy together.
“Apart from us, there was also an Italian there, and I don’t think anyone from Dinamo was there. There were negotiations about my transfer, but I didn’t participate in it. It lasted for hours. I signed the contract offered.”
Vrsaljko rejected Everton for Genoa move
Ultimately, no Evertonian would be able to argue with the defender for rejecting an L4 move after the career he went on to have.
Year(s) Club Appearances
2022 Olympiacos 9
2018-19 Inter Milan (loan) 13
2016-22 Atletico Madrid 100
2014-16 Sassuolo 58
2013-14 Genoa 23
2009-2013 Dinamo Zagreb 109
Sime Vrsaljko career stats
Vrsaljko’s rejection potentially played a key role in the success that Seamus Coleman went on to have at Goodison, considering a different right-back option didn’t come in that season.
The Republic of Ireland international now looks set to guide the Toffees into the Hill Dickinson Stadium as captain after signing a new deal.
It does appear that the Croatian and his agent had a telling impact on this being possible, with controversy now surrounding that situation.
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