Kristjan Bendra is a new signing for the Dragons ahead of the 2026/27 season! The young 20-year-old right-back moves to Ljubljana from Austria, where he played for many years in the Red Bull Salzburg academy, and was most recently with Sturm Graz.
“I am very happy and proud to have become a member of Olimpija. It is a club with high ambitions and great fan support, so the decision to come to Ljubljana was easy. I can’t wait to join the team and start working. I believe that I can contribute to the club’s success with my performances. I also look forward to working with the head coach, whom I know well from the younger national team selections,” Bendra said upon signing the contract until summer 2029.
The young Slovenian international took his first football steps in Koper, then moved very early to the Red Bull Salzburg youth academy, where he spent most of his football youth. He first tasted senior football at Liefering, and then continued his career at Sturm Graz.
Last season, in addition to regularly playing for the second team, he also made five appearances for Sturm’s first team and, among other things, featured on the European stage. The promising full-back also knows the Dragons’ new strategist, Mišo Brečko, well, as he played under his leadership for practically all younger selections of the Slovenian national team.
Marko Ristić and Dino Kojić’s teammate in the U21 national team will wear jersey number 14 at Stožice and will join the Dragons’ training on Thursday morning.
Kristjan, welcome!
