BSC Old Boys
Of Croatian descent, Kovačević was born in Basel, Switzerland, and began his career with spells across Europe, playing for BSC Old Boys in Switzerland, Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia and FC Koper in Slovenia. Following a trial period at Scottish club Dundee United, Kovačević signed for the club during the January 2008 transfer window. He made his debut a month later in a 0–0 draw with Celtic at Celtic Park. He won a runners-up medal in the 2008 Scottish League Cup Final, his second match for the club, after the narrow defeat to Rangers at Hampden Park. Kovačević made a further three first team starts before the end of the 2007–08 season.