Kovačević started playing football at his howetown club Željezničar Banja Luka, before joining Sarajevo's youth academy in 2014.

[9] He made his competitive debut for the club in 2021 Polish Super Cup game against Legia Warsaw on 17 July and managed to win his first trophy.

[12] On 5 June 2024, reigning Primeira Liga champions Sporting CP announced the signing of Kovačević, for a reported fee of €6 million.

[14] In May 2019, he received his first senior Bosnia and Herzegovina call-up, for UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers against Finland and Italy, but did not debut.

[15] In February 2023, Kovačević accepted an invitation to the Serbia national team and was expected to make his debut in June.