Borna Barisic’s move to Trabzonspor last summer has proven to be a much more difficult chapter in his career than anyone could have predicted. After leaving Rangers on a free transfer along with John Lundstram, many expected the Croatian left-back to continue his career in Turkey with a decent level of success. However, his time at Trabzonspor has been marked by frustration, with a severe lack of playing time and limited opportunities on the field. While his former teammate Lundstram has managed to settle in well, playing regularly and even scoring his first goal for the Turkish side, Barisic has faced a far more turbulent transition.

Barisic’s time in Turkey has been far from what he envisioned. Having played just 15 times for Trabzonspor, his appearances have been few and far between, and his only Super Lig start came way back in August. The lack of opportunities led to rumors that the club might look to terminate his contract, just a few months after he joined. Such early struggles left some pundits questioning whether signing Barisic was a “big mistake,” adding pressure on the 32-year-old to turn his situation around.

It was even reported that Barisic’s struggles could have a domino effect on the future of another former Rangers player, Ridvan Yilmaz. Trabzonspor was one of the clubs reportedly linked with a move for the Turkish full-back, whose future has been a point of speculation in recent windows. Despite this, Yilmaz remained at Rangers, while Barisic’s own situation continued to worsen. It seemed as though Barisic’s time in Turkey was not going as planned, and his potential move away from Trabzonspor was becoming more likely by the day.

And now, that move appears to be happening, albeit in an unusual and somewhat unclear manner. Barisic has reportedly completed a loan move to Spanish side Leganés, although official confirmations from both clubs are still pending. The Spanish La Liga website listed Barisic as a deadline day loan signing for Leganés, but neither Trabzonspor nor Leganés have made formal announcements. This confusion around the deal suggests that the loan transfer was among the last moves processed ahead of the Spanish transfer deadline, and the clubs will likely formalize it soon.

The loan move to Leganés represents a chance for Barisic to regain some form and match fitness in a new environment. Given his minimal impact at Trabzonspor, this could be the fresh start he needs to rebuild his career. However, Barisic still has another year left on his contract with Trabzonspor, meaning the loan will likely be a temporary solution to a much larger issue. Whether this move will lead to a permanent transfer or a future return to Turkey remains to be seen, but for now, Barisic is expected to spend the remainder of the season in Spain, hoping to play more regularly and make a fresh impression in La Liga.

Interestingly, Barisic’s loan move could have seen him reunite with his former Rangers teammate, Cyriel Dessers, at Leganés. Dessers was among the players linked with the Spanish side in the transfer window, and had Barisic joined him, the duo would have shared a familiar bond in the squad. However, Dessers ultimately stayed at Rangers, where he will look to continue his positive form for the Scottish giants. Instead of signing Dessers, Leganés strengthened their attacking options by bringing in Aberdeen’s Duk for an initial £600,000, a move that likely offers more immediate impact for the Spanish side.

For Barisic, this loan to Leganés is crucial in regaining his confidence and form. After struggling to adapt to life in Turkey, Spain offers a fresh start in a new league. However, with just a year left on his deal at Trabzonspor, the clock is ticking for Barisic to find a permanent solution to his career uncertainty. Whether he will remain in Spain beyond this season or return to Turkey to try and salvage his career with Trabzonspor is something that will unfold in the coming months. But one thing is clear: Barisic’s move to Trabzonspor hasn’t gone as planned, and now he faces a pivotal moment in his career to try and reignite his passion for football and prove his worth once again.