Filip Benković (born 13 July 1997) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Chinese Super League club Shenzhen Peng City.
Early Life
Benković was born in Zagreb, Croatia, and joined the Dinamo Zagreb academy in 2008.
Club Career
Dinamo Zagreb (2015–2018)
Benković made his senior debut for Dinamo Zagreb on 19 July 2015 in a 1–1 draw against Osijek. He made his European debut on 22 July 2015 in a UEFA Champions League qualifier against Fola Esch. Over three seasons with Dinamo, he made 76 competitive appearances, scoring 6 goals, and won the Croatian First Football League title and the Croatian Football Cup.
Leicester City (2018–2022)
On 9 August 2018, Benković signed for Leicester City on a five-year contract for a reported fee of approximately £13 million. He made only two appearances for Leicester across all competitions and was sent on multiple loans. His contract was terminated by mutual consent on 12 January 2022.
Loan to Celtic (2018–2019)
Benković joined Celtic on a season-long loan in August 2018, making 27 appearances and scoring 2 goals. He won the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, and Scottish League Cup with the club.
Loan to Bristol City (2020)
He joined Bristol City on loan in January 2020, scoring his first goal for the club in a 3–2 win over Derby County on 12 February 2020.
Loan to Cardiff City (2020–2021)
Benković joined Cardiff City on a one-year loan in October 2020 but was recalled in January 2021 after making only one appearance.
Loan to OH Leuven (2021)
Shortly after his recall from Cardiff, he joined Belgian side OH Leuven on loan but made no appearances.
Udinese (2022–2024)
Benković signed for Udinese on 13 January 2022. He made only 2 appearances for the club and was subsequently loaned to Eintracht Braunschweig (2022–2023) in the 2. Bundesliga and Trabzonspor (2023–2024) in the Turkish Süper Lig. His contract was terminated by mutual consent on 30 August 2024.
AIK (2025)
Benković joined Swedish Allsvenskan club AIK in 2025, making 35 appearances and scoring 1 goal across all competitions.
Shenzhen Peng City (2026–present)
In 2026, Benković moved to Chinese Super League club Shenzhen Peng City.
International Career
Benković represented Croatia at various youth levels (U17, U19, U21). He made his senior debut for the Croatia national team on 11 June 2019 in a friendly match against Tunisia, which ended in a 2–1 loss.
Honours
- Dinamo Zagreb: Croatian First Football League (2015–16, 2017–18), Croatian Football 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)
