Daniel Samek

Daniel Samek

Personal information
Date of birth	(2004-02-19) 19 February 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth	Chaloupky, Czech Republic[1]
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Defender, midfielder
Team information
Current team	Hradec Králové (on loan from Lecce)
Number	18
Youth career
2010–2018	Hradec Králové
2018–2021	Slavia Prague
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–2022	Slavia Prague	21	(3)
2022–	Lecce	0	(0)
2024–	→ Hradec Králové (loan)	12	(0)
International career^‡
2019	Czech Republic U15	10	(0)
2019–2020	Czech Republic U16	10	(2)
2021–2023	Czech Republic U19	12	(0)
2023–	Czech Republic U20	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 January 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 26 March 2024

Daniel Samek (born 19 February 2004) is a Czech professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for Hradec Králové on loan from the Italian club Lecce.^[2]

Club career

Samek began his career at Hradec Králové, joining Slavia Prague's academy in 2018. On 3 March 2021, Samek made his debut for Slavia Prague, coming on as a 70th minute substitute in a 10–3 Czech Cup win against Slavia Karlovy Vary, becoming the youngest player in the club's history.^[1] On 23 May 2021, Samek made his league debut for Slavia Prague, starting in a 1–1 draw against Jablonec.^[3] On 22 August 2021, Samek scored his first goal for Slavia, scoring the second goal in a 4–0 win against Baník Ostrava. Samek also assisted the opening goal for Stanislav Tecl during the tie.^[4]

On 30 July 2022, Samek signed a five-year contract with Lecce in Italy.^[5] On 25 August 2024, Samek was loaned to Hradec Králové, with an option to buy.^[6]

International career

Samek has represented the Czech Republic at under-15, under-16 and under-19 level.^[7]

Style of play

Former Italian international Stefano Torrisi has described Samek as a "modern midfielder" who is "physically well built". Samek has been compared to Czech Republic captain Tomáš Souček and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong as a result of his "offensive and defensive actions", "good dribbling" and "good passing technique".^[1]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 23 August 2023^[8]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup[a]		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Slavia Prague B	2020–21	CFL	1	0	—		—		—		1	0
	2021–22		5	1	—		—		—		5	1
	Total		6	1	—		—		—		6	1
Slavia Prague	2020–21	Fortuna Liga	2	0	1	0	—		—		3	0
	2021–22		19	3	2	0	7[b]	0	—		28	3
	Total		21	3	3	0	7	0	—		31	3
Career total			27	4	3	0	7	0	0	0	37	4

1. Includes Czech Cup
2. One appearance in UEFA Europa League, six appearances in UEFA Conference League

References

1. "Daniel Samek: Czech wonderkid looking to emulate Frenkie de Jong". Goal. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
2. "Samek končí ve Slavii. Osmnáctiletý záložník posílí nováčka italské ligy" (in Czech). Sport.cz. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
3. "Daniel Samek" (in Czech). SK Slavia Praha. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
4. "SESTŘIH: Slavia - Baník 4:0. Kanonáda! Gólem a nahrávkou zazářil Samek" (in Czech). iSport. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
5. "UFFICIALE: SAMEK IN GIALLOROSSO A TITOLO DEFINITIVO" (in Italian). Lecce. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
6. "Cessione Samek" [Samek Transfer] (in Italian). Lecce. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
7. "Daniel Samek". World Football. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
8. Daniel Samek at Soccerway

External links

• Daniel Samek at Fortunaliga.cz