Benkovic joins sister club on loan after swipe at the Bluebirds
MADE NO SENSE FOR ME TO REMAIN AT CARDIFF, SAYS CROATIAN CENTRE-HALF
FILIP Benkovic is hoping for a “fresh start” at Leicester City’s sister club OH Leuven after admitting “it made no sense” to stay at Cardiff.
The Croatian centre-back was recalled from his Bluebirds loan stint last week after making just one appearance and will now spend the rest of the campaign in Belgium, joining fellow City loanees Kamal Sowah and Josh Eppiah there, as well as club icon Andy King.
Game-time is the focus for Benkovic who has played just 18 senior matches over the past two calendar years, and he quickly realised he wasn’t going to get that in Wales, where “they didn’t speak much to me”.
He told Leuven’s official website: “I want to play football, man! I hardly played at Cardiff City in recent months.
“Here I want to make a fresh start and find my best form.
“It all happened very quickly. I didn’t even have time to discuss my decision with Andy King and Josh Eppiah.
“The ambitions of this club and the conversation with the coach (Marc Brys) convinced me to take this step.
“(At Cardiff) they didn’t speak much to me there.
“When I asked why I barely played, I was told they were quite happy with me.
“But in the end, the coach opted again for the guys who were there last season. It made no sense to stay there.”
Once he gets game-time, the aim for Benkovic is to “evolve” and show again the potential he exhibited at Dinamo Zagreb, and then at Celtic.
Speaking of his qualities, Benkovic said: “With my height, I obviously have a good header game. I read the game well and often send diagonal balls.
“I have yet to learn to stay focused for 90 minutes.
“At the age of 23 I am still young and I realise that there are quite a few aspects that need to be improved. I am convinced that I can evolve at OH Leuven.”
He added: “I really liked being in Celtic.
“At Celtic I felt very happy and had a very good season.
“I took the title and two cups. I am still very proud of that.”
Benkovic’s first appearance in Belgium could come against Sint-Truiden this weekend.
Leuven are fourth in the table after beating Anderlecht in their last fixture.