Ekong loan to Hajduk Split collapses after failed medical – Malmo future in doubt

Emmanuel Ekong’s planned move from Malmo FF to Croatian club Hajduk Split has broken down after the Nigerian-born forward reportedly failed his medical, leaving his long-term future in Sweden shrouded in uncertainty.

The 24-year-old, son of former Super Eagles midfielder Prince Ikpe Ekong, had been on the verge of a season-long loan to the Croatian giants in a bid to revive a stalling career after a difficult spell back in the Allsvenskan.

Loan move scrapped after medical concerns

According to Swedish outlet Sportbladet, cited by Fotboll Transfers, Hajduk Split pulled the plug on the deal following concerns raised during Ekong’s medical examination over his physical condition.

The failed tests are understood to have immediately halted negotiations, with Hajduk deciding not to proceed with the loan. As a result, Ekong has returned to Malmo, where doubts about his role in the squad remain unresolved.

The move to Croatia had been seen as a fresh start for the versatile attacker, who can operate across the front line and had been seeking consistent playing time after an underwhelming campaign in Sweden.

Struggles since Malmo return

Ekong rejoined Malmo from Italian side Empoli during the winter transfer window in 2025, but the return to Eleda Stadion has not gone according to plan.

Despite the club’s decision to recall him from Italy, he has struggled to cement a regular place in the first team, prompting speculation about a summer exit. Limited minutes and an inability to make a sustained impact in the Allsvenskan opened the door for a potential move abroad.

The proposed switch to Hajduk Split was viewed as an opportunity to gain regular football at a high level, with the Croatian side expected to hand him more responsibility and a platform to rediscover the form that once made him a promising prospect in Swedish youth football.

Contracted until 2029 but future unclear

Ekong remains under contract with Malmo until 2029, a long-term deal that now sits in contrast to the uncertainty surrounding his immediate future.

With the Croatian option off the table, the forward is expected to concentrate on returning to full fitness and attempting to force his way back into contention under Malmo’s coaching staff.

The club has yet to publicly comment on the collapsed transfer or outline its plans for the player, who now faces the challenge of rebuilding both his form and his reputation after the failed medical.

Focus shifts to fitness and redemption

For Ekong, the setback represents another obstacle in a career that has yet to fully take off at senior level, despite his early promise as a former Swedish youth international and his footballing lineage as the son of a former Nigeria international.

The immediate priority will be to address the physical concerns highlighted in the medical and demonstrate to Malmo that he can contribute effectively in the coming seasons.

With the transfer window still open, further interest in the forward cannot be ruled out, but any potential suitors are likely to seek reassurance over his fitness before making a move.

Until then, Ekong’s task is clear: regain his sharpness, re-establish himself at Malmo, and prove that the failed switch to Hajduk Split is a temporary setback rather than a defining moment in his career.