TRANSFER NEWS: Introducing…Filip Bilbija

Filip Bilbija became Derby County’s third summer signing ahead of the 2026/27 season when he linked up with the squad during their overseas training camp in Austria.

Bilbija’s move to the Rams is set to be his first experience of English football; the versatile attacking midfielder has spent the entirety of his career to date playing in Germany.

Let’s take a closer look at Derby’s latest recruit…

In Profile

Born in Berlin, Bilbija’s parents are of Serbian and Montenegrin descent.

Starting out in the German capital, he was on the books of Tennis Borussia Berlin before moving to Hertha Zehlendorf in summer 2016.

Having impressed in youth teams in his home city, he caught the eye of FC Ingolstadt, who brought Bilbija into their Under-19s squad in 2018/19, before promoting the attacking midfielder to the senior ranks the following season.

He spent three seasons playing first-team football with the Bavarian club, achieving promotion from the third tier via the play-offs against VfL Osnabrück in 2021.

A year-long stint with Hamburger SV followed before Bilbija made the switch to Paderborn, where he went on to spend three seasons, notching 98 appearances and 35 goals in all competitions.

His best season on record came last time out for Paderborn, who were lifted to promotion, with Bilbija’s 17-goal tally in all competitions playing a vital role.

Notably, he scored all four in a 4-3 win over FC Magdeburg. He capped off the season in the promotion play-offs against Wolfsburg with a header in extra time, which saw the North Rhine-Westphalia club ascend to the top table of German football.

After completing his contract in Germany, Bilbija became a free agent, and Head Coach John Eustace secured the services of the versatile attacker, who has joined the Rams on a three-year deal ahead of the 2026/27 season.