
Jan Bednarek comes from a Polish family with a strong connection to sport. The FC Porto defender was raised by his parents, Beata and Daniel Bednarek, alongside his older brother, Filip Bednarek, who also became a professional footballer.
Jan has since formed his own family with his wife, Julia Bednarek, formerly Julia Nowak. The couple married in 2022 and have a daughter named Lilly. Here is everything publicly known about Jan Bednarek’s wife, children, parents and siblings.
Who Is Jan Bednarek’s Wife?
Jan Bednarek’s wife is Julia Bednarek, who was known as Julia Nowak before their marriage. She is a Polish social-media personality who previously worked as a model.
Julia has regularly supported Jan throughout his football career. She lived with him in England during his time with Southampton and later moved to Portugal when the defender signed for FC Porto in July 2025.
Although Julia maintains a visible social-media presence, she primarily shares lifestyle, travel and family content. She has also attended matches to support Jan for both his club and the Polish national team.
How Did Jan Bednarek Meet Julia Nowak?
Jan Bednarek and Julia Nowak first became acquainted online. Jan was already playing in England, while Julia was completing her secondary education in Poland. They communicated from a distance before meeting in person.
Their first face-to-face meeting reportedly took place around Poland’s 2017 World Cup qualifying match against Kazakhstan. In an unusual beginning to their relationship, Julia met Jan’s parents before spending significant time with the footballer himself.
Jan and Julia officially became a couple in 2017. Their relationship continued despite the distance between Poland and England, and Julia eventually moved to England in 2019 so they could live together.
When Did Jan Bednarek and Julia Nowak Get Married?
Jan Bednarek and Julia Nowak married on June 16, 2022. Their wedding took place approximately one year after the birth of their daughter.
After the ceremony, Julia began publicly using the name Julia Bednarek. The couple occasionally celebrate their wedding anniversary through messages and photographs shared on social media.
Their marriage has accompanied Jan through several important career developments, including his loan spell with Aston Villa, his return to Southampton and his transfer to FC Porto.
Does Jan Bednarek Have Children?
Jan Bednarek has one publicly known child. He and Julia are the parents of a daughter named Lilly Bednarek.
No reliable announcement indicates that the couple have welcomed another child. Their family currently consists publicly of Jan, Julia and Lilly.
Who Is Jan Bednarek’s Daughter, Lilly?
Jan and Julia welcomed their daughter, Lilly Bednarek, in August 2021. The footballer announced her arrival publicly and praised Julia after the birth of their first child.
Lilly occasionally appears in family photographs shared by her parents. However, Jan and Julia do not disclose extensive personal information about their daughter, preserving an appropriate level of privacy around her childhood.
The family lived together in England while Jan represented Southampton. They later relocated to Portugal following his move to FC Porto in 2025.
Who Are Jan Bednarek’s Parents?
Jan Bednarek’s parents are Beata and Daniel Bednarek. Both were closely connected to sport and created an environment in which Jan and his older brother could develop their athletic interests.
The Bednarek family lived in Kleczew, a town near Konin in western Poland. Their home was located close to the local sports facilities and football stadium, making sport an important part of the brothers’ everyday lives.
Jan has described his parents and brother as important members of his support network. They helped him remain grounded as he progressed from local football to Lech Poznań, the Premier League, the Polish national team and FC Porto.
Who Is Jan Bednarek’s Mother?
Jan Bednarek’s mother is Beata Bednarek. She worked as a physical education teacher, giving her a professional connection to sport and youth development.
Beata encouraged both of her sons during their early football careers. She remained closely involved even after Filip moved to the Netherlands and Jan entered Lech Poznań’s academy.
When Jan moved from Lech Poznań to Southampton in 2017, his mother reportedly became emotional about the distance involved. Jan reassured her that he would make it possible for the family to visit him in England.
Beata has attended important matches and has occasionally participated in Polish media interviews about the careers of her sons.
Who Is Jan Bednarek’s Father?
Jan Bednarek’s father is Daniel Bednarek. He served as the director of the Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre in Kleczew, commonly known by the Polish abbreviation OSiR.
Daniel’s work meant that the Bednarek family lived extremely close to the local stadium. Jan and Filip could see the football ground from their home and spent much of their childhood surrounded by sporting facilities.
This environment helped introduce both brothers to football. Nevertheless, their parents allowed them to develop naturally rather than treating professional careers as guaranteed outcomes.
Daniel continued to support Jan after the defender left Poland. Together with Beata and Filip, he became part of the close support system Jan relied upon while adapting to football in England.
Does Jan Bednarek Have Any Siblings?
Jan Bednarek has an older brother named Filip Bednarek. Filip was born on September 26, 1992, making him approximately three and a half years older than Jan.
Filip is also a professional footballer, but unlike his younger brother, he plays as a goalkeeper. The brothers shared a bedroom during childhood and grew up only a short distance from the football pitch in Kleczew.
No reliable sources identify any other brothers or sisters, making Filip Jan Bednarek’s only publicly known sibling.
Who Is Jan Bednarek’s Brother, Filip Bednarek?
Filip Bednarek began his football career with Sokół Kleczew before joining the academies of Amica Wronki and Dutch club FC Twente. He spent several years in the Netherlands, representing clubs including Utrecht, De Graafschap and Heerenveen.
In 2020, Filip returned to Poland and signed for Lech Poznań. He won the Polish league title with the club during the 2021/22 season. In 2025, he returned to the Netherlands by joining Sparta Rotterdam.
Filip’s move abroad as a teenager gave Jan an early example of the commitment required to become a professional footballer. Although the brothers play in different positions, both successfully progressed from Sokół Kleczew to major European competitions.
How Jan Bednarek’s Family Influenced His Career
Sport was part of Jan Bednarek’s life from childhood. His mother taught physical education, his father managed local sports facilities and his older brother was already progressing through football academies.
The location of the family home also contributed to Jan’s development. Living beside the stadium meant that football was constantly present, and both brothers spent considerable time around the local pitch.
Jan initially experimented with different positions, including goalkeeper and forward, before eventually becoming a central defender. His family supported that development without placing all the attention on results.
When difficult moments arrived during his career in England, Jan identified Julia, his parents and Filip as important members of his support network. Their encouragement helped him adapt to the demands of Premier League and international football.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jan Bednarek’s Family
Who is Jan Bednarek’s wife?
Jan Bednarek’s wife is Julia Bednarek, formerly Julia Nowak. She is a Polish social-media personality and former model.
When did Jan Bednarek get married?
Jan Bednarek and Julia Nowak married on June 16, 2022, after being together since 2017.
How many children does Jan Bednarek have?
Jan Bednarek has one publicly known child, a daughter named Lilly.
Who is Jan Bednarek’s daughter?
His daughter is Lilly Bednarek, who was born in August 2021.
Who are Jan Bednarek’s parents?
Jan Bednarek’s parents are Beata and Daniel Bednarek. Beata worked as a physical education teacher, while Daniel served as the director of the sports and recreation centre in Kleczew.
Does Jan Bednarek have a brother?
Yes. Jan’s older brother, Filip Bednarek, is a professional goalkeeper who has represented clubs in Poland and the Netherlands.
Are Jan Bednarek and Kenny Bednarek related?
There is no publicly confirmed family relationship between Jan Bednarek and American sprinter Kenny Bednarek. They share a surname but come from different family backgrounds.

Helena Lena Jessica Da Laila is a football writer covering Spanish women’s football, with a focus on Liga F, tactical trends, and emerging talents shaping the women’s game in Spain.
