# Filip Benković

Filip Benković (born 13 July 1997) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Allsvenskan club AIK.

## 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. He left the club after mutually agreeing to cancel the remaining term of his contract on 12 January 2022.

#### 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.

#### Loan to Cardiff City

In October 2020, Benković joined Cardiff City on a one-year loan. On 6 January 2021, Benković was recalled by his parent club Leicester City, having only played one game for Cardiff City.

#### Loan to OH Leuven

Just a few days after being recalled from Cardiff City, Benković was announced by Oud-Heverlee Leuven, arriving on loan from Leicester City until the end of the season.

### Udinese

Following his release from Leicester City the previous day, Benković was confirmed as a new signing for Udinese on 13 January 2022.

#### Loan to Eintracht Braunschweig

On 1 September 2022, Benković moved on loan to Eintracht Braunschweig in Germany.

#### Loan to Trabzonspor

On 10 July 2023, Benković was loaned to Turkish side Trabzonspor.

#### Release by Udinese

On 30 August 2024, his contract with Udinese was terminated by mutual consent.

## International career

Benković made his Croatia debut on 11 June 2019 in a friendly 2–1 loss to Tunisia, as a starter.

## Honours

Dinamo Zagreb
* Prva HNL: 2015–16, 2017–18
* Croatian Cup: 2015–16, 2017–18
Celtic
* Scottish Premiership: 2018–19
* Scottish Cup: 2018–19
* Scottish League Cup: 2018–19
Leicester City
* FA Community Shield: 2021