Transfer Saga Ends: Ivanović Chooses Lens, Romano Confirms
Croatian striker Franjo Ivanović has decided to continue his career at French club RC Lens, which beat Roma's Lazio in the final race for his signature.
Croatian striker Franjo Ivanović has decided to continue his career at French club RC Lens, which beat Roma's Lazio in the final race for his signature.
The long-running saga over the future of Croatian international Franjo Ivanović (22) has finally come to an end. The young striker, who spent last season at Portugal's Benfica, has decided to continue his career at French top-flight side RC Lens. The news was announced on Saturday, August 8, 2026, by renowned Italian transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.
Romano wrote on his Twitter profile: "Franjo Ivanović has decided to join RC Lens over Lazio as Benfica will now proceed to sell him. Lens are closing in on the deal."
The road to a final decision was anything but straightforward. Just last weekend, Spanish side Real Betis and English Championship club Hull City were considered the main contenders for Ivanović's signature. However, within a week, the situation took a dramatic turn, with Italian side Lazio and French club Lens entering the final race.
Both clubs met Benfica's financial demands for the Croatian striker, who arrived in Lisbon last summer in a €22.8 million transfer from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise. The final decision was left to the player himself, and the deciding factor, it is believed, was the fact that Lens will compete in the Champions League next season.
Lens is a club that waged a fierce battle with Paris Saint-Germain for the French league title last season. Although they ultimately finished six points behind the reigning European champions, they did not end the season empty-handed. They defeated Nice 3-1 in the final of the national Cup to secure the trophy.
The coaching situation is also interesting. The Lens bench is currently held by Dino Toppmöller, who succeeded Pierre Sage, the "architect" of last season's success who moved on to English club Crystal Palace. Toppmöller previously managed Eintracht Frankfurt last season, a club that Ivanović himself was on the verge of joining last summer before Benfica secured his arrival at the last minute.
Ivanović arrived at Benfica with the status of a newly capped Croatian international and a stellar season at Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise behind him. However, in Portugal, he was relegated to a supporting role. Although he made 32 appearances for the Lisbon club, he mostly came off the bench, scoring six goals and adding one assist in the process.
The most painful consequence of his limited playing time was being dropped from the national team. Ivanović lost his place among the selections of then-coach Zlatko Dalić and ultimately missed the World Cup. A fresh start at Lens, a club that will play in the Champions League, provides him with the perfect opportunity to rediscover his form and once again grab attention, this time under a new coach.
