Forgotten keeper Lovre Kalinic is heading for the Aston Villa exit door
Forgotten man Lovre Kalinic is leaving on loan Villa next month after the goalkeeper agreed a return to Hajduk Split.
The Croatia international, who has not played for Villa since February 2019, will complete the move when Hadjuk’s transfer window opens on January 18.
Kalinic, who almost joined Villa from Hajduk in 2016 only for the move to collapse when he was denied a work permit, eventually arrived in a £7million switch from Belgian club Gent two years ago.
But he made only eight appearances before being dropped for Jed Steer as Villa went on to win promotion from the Championship.
With Tom Heaton fit again after a year out with a knee injury and No.1 Emi Martinez having kept seven clean sheets in 12 matches following his £20m move from Arsenal, Kalinic is fourth-choice with little prospect of playing.
Ahead of the move being confirmed, Villa boss Smith said: “Like I’ve said before, four goalkeepers doesn’t work at a big Premier League club.
“Three top goalkeepers, for me, is the maximum. He (Kalinic) needs game time and he’ll be looking to get out in January.”
