Filip Benković


Filip Benković is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Premier League club Leicester City.

Early life

Benković was born in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, and joined the Dinamo Zagreb academy in 2008.

Club career

Dinamo Zagreb

2015–16 season

On 19 July 2015, Benković made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw with Osijek. On 22 July, Benković made his European debut in a 3–0 win over Fola Esch in the second leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League; playing twelve minutes after coming off the bench as a substitute in the 78th minute. He went on to make a total of 18 competitive appearances for the club in the 2015–16 season.

2016–17 season

On 29 July 2016, in the league match against Slaven Belupo, after Dinamo went 0–1 in the 92nd minute, Benković scored a last-minute equalizing goal in the 94th minute, to make it 1–1. On 10 August, Benković played the full 90 minutes in a 4–0 away win over Hajduk Split. On 23 September, Benković scored the winning goal in a 1–0 win over Lokomotiva. In the mid-phase of the 2016–17 season, Benković was reportedly suffering from injury which would force him to miss the majority of the season.

2017–18 season

On 15 July 2017, Benković scored in a 2–0 win over Istra 1961. On 9 September, Benković scored in a 3–2 win over Rudeš. On 21 October, Benković scored in a 2–2 draw with Hajduk Split. On 4 May 2018, Benković scored a last-minute equalizing goal in a 2–2 draw with Slaven Belupo. On 23 May, Benković came on as a 90th minute substitute in the Croatian Cup Final, as Dinamo won 1–0.

Leicester City

On 9 August 2018, Leicester City confirmed via their official website that Benković signed for the club on a five-year contract, for a fee in the region of £13m.

2018–19 season (loan to Celtic)

On 31 August 2018, Benković joined Celtic on a season-long loan deal. On 14 September 2018, Benković made his debut in a 0–0 draw with St Mirren, playing 60 minutes. Benković scored his first goal for Celtic in a 5–0 victory over Heart of Midlothian on 3 November 2018.

Loan to Bristol City

Benković signed for Bristol City until the end of the season on 31 January 2020. He scored his first goal for Bristol City in a 3-2 win over Derby County on 12 February 2020.

International career

Benković made his Croatia national football team debut on 11 June 2019 in a friendly against Tunisia, as a starter.

Career statistics

Honours

Dinamo Zagreb
Celtic