Franko Kovačević (born 8 August 1999) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Hungarian club Ferencváros.
Club career Born in Koprivnica, Kovačević grew up in the city of Križevci. At the age of 10, he joined the youth academy of Varaždin, before switching to Bjelovar a year later. According to him, he started taking football seriously and started "serious training" during his stint at Bjelovar. At the age of 15, he switched to the academy of Rijeka. After having spent one year at the club, he was called by German club Bayern Munich's manager Carlo Ancelotti to train with their team. In spite of the club expressing their interest in him, he joined Hajduk Split on 16 June 2018 and was promoted to the first team.
On 24 August 2017, Kovačević made his first team debut, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute for Hamza Barry in a 1–1 draw against English club Everton in the UEFA Europa League. On 3 March 2018, he made his league debut, coming as a substitute in a 1–0 victory over Rudeš.
On 15 February 2019, Kovačević was loaned out to Rudeš for the rest of the season. At the end of the season, Rudeš activated the option to sign him permanently for the transfer fee of €300,000.Čudan transfer u HNL-u: Drugoligaš plaća Hajduku više od dva milijuna kuna, gol.dnevnik.hr, 11 June 2019 However, a week after activating the option, he was sold to German club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim where he was supposed to play for the U23 team in the Regionalliga Südwest. Kovačević signed a four-year contract with the German club.Franko Kovačević potpisao za Hoffenheim, nogometplus.net, 18 June 2019
FC Cincinnati (loan) On 12 October 2020, it was announced that Kovačević would be loaned out to FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer for the remainder of the 2020 season with an option to extend through 2021.
Pafos On 5 August 2021, Kovačević signed with Cypriot side Pafos.
Domžale On 12 August 2022, Kovačević joined Slovenian PrvaLiga side Domžale on a three-year contract.
Wehen Wiesbaden On 3 August 2023, Kovačević returned to Germany and signed with Wehen Wiesbaden in 2. Bundesliga.
On 10 July 2024, Kovačević joined Gangwon in South Korea on loan.
Celje On 14 June 2025, he signed a three-year contract with Celje in Slovenia.
Ferencváros On 9 May 2026, he won the 2025–26 Magyar Kupa season with Ferencváros by beating Zalaegerszegi TE 1–0 in the 2026 Magyar Kupa final at Puskás Aréna.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHajduk Split2017–18Prva HNL402010—702018–19Prva HNL102000—30Total504010—100Hadjuk Split II2017–18Druga NL80———802018–19Druga NL61———61Total141———141Rudeš (loan)2018–19Prva HNL 130———130Hoffenheim II2019–20Regionalliga85———852020–21Regionalliga31———312022–23Regionalliga11———11Total127———127Cincinnati (loan)2020MLS10———102021MLS30———30Total40———40Pafos (loan)2021–22Cypriot First Division25120——271Domžale2022–231. SNL301221——32132023–241. SNL10—22—32Total31122122—3515Wehen Wiesbaden2023–242. Bundesliga23410—20264Gangwon (loan)2024K League 1154———1542025K League 112100——121Total27500——275Celje2025–261. SNL1411121312—2825Career total1684110316142019658
References
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