Algeria-Croatia winger El Arbi Hillel Soudani is being linked with a move from NK Maribor to Croatian side NK Kustosija, with the veteran’s situation in Slovenia raising the prospect he could become a free agent.
The 38-year-old right winger, who holds both Algerian and Croatian nationality, is currently listed at a market value of €100k, according to Transfermarkt, with the potential transfer to Kustosija recorded as a rumour and the probability of the move marked as “?”. There is no registered contract expiry date for Soudani at Maribor, which has fuelled speculation that his deal may be close to expiring or could already have run down, opening the door to a free-agent departure.
Soudani, a left-footed attacker standing at 1.78m, joined Maribor after a long career across Europe but is now being tipped for a return to Croatian football with Kustosija. The Zagreb-based club, currently outside the major European spotlight, are thought to see the experienced winger as a short-term boost to their attacking options, with his value considered modest for a player of his pedigree.
Born in Chlef on 25 November 1987, Soudani has represented clubs in several leagues and established himself as a versatile forward, primarily operating from the right flank. His recent outings for Maribor in the Slovenian Prva Liga have kept him in competitive shape, with the rumour surfacing on 22 May 2026 amid ongoing uncertainty about his contractual status.
No fee has been reported at this stage, and it remains unclear whether any move would involve a transfer or a free-agent signing if his contract situation allows. Should the switch materialise, a move to NK Kustosija would offer Soudani a late-career opportunity to extend his playing days in familiar surroundings and add a final chapter to a long professional journey in European football.
