diff --git a/ethclient/ethclient.go b/ethclient/ethclient.go
index 19e15c77a2..bd5f3e4188 100644
--- a/ethclient/ethclient.go
+++ b/ethclient/ethclient.go
@@ -90,6 +90,13 @@ func (ec *Client) BlockByNumber(ctx context.Context, number *big.Int) (*types.Bl
 	return ec.getBlock(ctx, "eth_getBlockByNumber", toBlockNumArg(number), true)
 }
 
+// BlockNumber returns the most recent block number
+func (ec *Client) BlockNumber(ctx context.Context) (uint64, error) {
+	var result hexutil.Uint64
+	err := ec.c.CallContext(ctx, &result, "eth_blockNumber")
+	return uint64(result), err
+}
+
 // BlockReceipts returns the receipts of a given block number or hash
 func (ec *Client) BlockReceipts(ctx context.Context, blockNrOrHash rpc.BlockNumberOrHash) ([]*types.Receipt, error) {
 	var r []*types.Receipt