Knežević has started his career in senior professional team of NK Osijek on 2005/2006 at the age of 17.
Now, Josip Knežević is an active member of the Croatia national under-21 team.
On 12 February 2010 Knežević moved to Russian side Amkar Perm in a deal initially worth €500,000.
[3] Two years later, in January 2012, Knežević signed a season-long loan deal with Kazakhstan Premier League outfit FC Kairat.
At the end of Kneževićs loan deal he returned to Amkar Perm, before signing a permanent three-year contract with FC Kairat in February 2013.