Franko Kovačević, aged 26, hails from Croatia. This imposing figure, standing at 6ft (1.85m) and weighing in at approximately 12st 8lb (80kg), primarily serves as a striker for Slovenian outfit, Celje, donning the symbolic number 9 jersey. He has previously brought his talents to bear for the Croatian national team.
As of writing, Kovačević's value on the market is estimated to be around £1m, a figure sourced from Transfermarkt.
Kovačević first earned professional recognition when he joined Hajduk Split in the HNL in Croatia in July 2017. By February 2019, he had relocated to Rudes in the Druga HNL in Croatia, the move quoting a fee in the region of some £270k.
Come July 2019, Kovačević sought new pastures in Germany, joining 1899 Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. The fee for this transfer remains undisclosed. Following this, in October 2020, Kovačević embarked on a loan to FC Cincinnati in the MLS over in America. His freshman season saw him making a single league appearance, increasing to three in his subsequent season.
In July 2021, Kovačević again found himself on loan, this time to Pafos in the First Division in Cyprus. By August 2022, he had returned to the Bundesliga, transferred from Hoffenheim to Domžale in the PrvaLiga in Slovenia, again for an undisclosed fee. This was followed by a move to Wehen Wiesbaden in the 3. Liga in Germany, where he made 23 first-team appearances and netted four goals during the 2023 - 2024 season.
By July 2024, Kovačević was on the move once more, this time on loan to Gangwon FC in the K League 1 in Korea Republic. Finally, he transferred to Celje in the PrvaLiga in Slovenia in July 2025. During the current 2025 - 2026 season at Celje, he has made a single appearance thus far, impressively netting 11 league goals in the process. He has also participated in the Europa League Qualifiers 2025 - 2026 for Celje, making his mark with four goals in four starts, the Conference League Qualifiers 2025 - 2026 for Celje, with three goals in three starts, and the Conference League 2025 - 2026 for Celje, scoring five goals in six starts.
