Where will Franjo Ivanović continue his career?

He is going on a one-year loan from Benfica to French club Lens.

Why did he choose Lens over other clubs?

The deciding factor was that Lens will play in the Champions League this season.

Will Lens have the option to buy Ivanović's contract?

No, Lens will not have the option to buy his contract in the summer of 2027.

How much did Benfica pay for Ivanović last summer?

Benfica brought him from Union Saint-Gilloise for €22.8 million.

Football

Ivanović Chooses Champions League: Vatreni on Loan at Lens

A.P. · Prije 15h | 2 min

Croatian international Franjo Ivanović leaves Benfica for a one-year loan at French club Lens, who will play in the Champions League this season.

Summary

Franjo Ivanović is going on a one-year loan from Benfica to Lens.
Lens was chosen because they play in the Champions League this season, with interest from Betis, Hull City, and Lazio.
Ivanović failed to make an impact at Benfica last season, and competition increased with the arrival of Jhon Durán.
Benfica paid €22.8 million for him last summer, making it the biggest Croatian transfer of that window.

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Croatian international footballer Franjo Ivanović (22) is on the verge of a move to French club Lens, where Benfica will loan him for one year. The news was reported by Portuguese newspapers O Jogo and Record on Tuesday, and is being carried by Croatian media.

Champions League Was the Deciding Factor

Ivanović has already received the green light from the Lisbon club to travel to France for a medical. During the one-year loan, Lens will cover his wages, according to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha. Lens will not have an option to buy his contract in the summer of 2027.

Spanish club Betis, English side Hull City, and Italian club Lazio also showed interest in the young striker, but the fact that Lens will compete in the Champions League this season was decisive. Lazio coach Gennaro Gattuso confirmed this in a statement to O Jogo.

"The club did everything to bring in Ivanović, we had Benfica's approval, and then I spoke with the player. He decided to go to Lens because they play in the Champions League. What can we do? Maybe we should have talked to him earlier," said Gattuso.

Failed to Make an Impact in Lisbon

Ivanović joined Benfica last summer from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise for €22.8 million, making it the biggest transfer of a Croatian player during that window. However, last season he failed to secure a starting spot. Then-coach Jose Mourinho preferred a formation with a single striker, giving priority to Greek international Vangelis Pavlidis.

Ivanović faced additional competition this summer with the arrival of 22-year-old Colombian international Jhon Durán. The situation was further complicated by a change on the bench-Mourinho left Benfica this summer to take over Real Madrid, and his replacement is Marco Silva from London's Fulham.