Daniel Samek

Daniel Samek
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-02-19) 19 February 2004 (age 22)
Place of birth Chaloupky, Czech Republic
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Kladno
(on loan from Artis Brno)
Youth career
2010–2018 Hradec Králové
2018–2021 Slavia Prague
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2022 Slavia Prague 21 (3)
2022–2025 Lecce 0 (0)
2024–2025 → Hradec Králové (loan) 21 (0)
2025– Artis Brno 26 (1)
2026– → Kladno (loan) 0 (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 6 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 24 May 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 25 March 2025

Daniel Samek (born 19 February 2004) is a Czech professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for Czech National Football League club Kladno on loan from Artis Brno.

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. On 23 May 2021, Samek made his league debut for Slavia Prague, starting in a 1–1 draw against Jablonec. 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.

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

On 2 July 2025, Samek moved to Artis Brno on a three-season contract.

On 8 September 2026, Samek joined Czech National Football League club Kladno on a loan deal.

International career

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

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".

Career statistics

As of match played 23 August 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Slavia Prague B 2020–21 CFL 10———10
2021–22 CFL 51———51
Total 61———61
Slavia Prague 2020–21 Czech First League 2010——30
2021–22 Czech First League 1932070—283
Total 2133070—313
Career total 274307000374
  1. ↑ Includes Czech Cup
  2. ↑ One appearance in UEFA Europa League, six appearances in UEFA Conference League

References

  1. 1 2 3 "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". Sport.cz (in Czech). Borgis. 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". iSport.cz (in Czech). Czech News Center. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  5. ↑ "UFFICIALE: SAMEK IN GIALLOROSSO A TITOLO DEFINITIVO". U.S. Lecce (in Italian). Lecce. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Cessione Samek" [Samek Transfer]. U.S. Lecce (in Italian). Lecce. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  7. ↑ "Reprezentační talent do Artisu" [National talent to Artis] (in Czech). SK Artis Brno. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  8. ↑ Novák, Jiří (8 September 2026). "Kladno získalo posilu z Artisu, na hostování dorazil Samek" [Kladno gained reinforcements from Artis, Samek arrived on loan] (in Czech). Sport News Invest. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  9. ↑ "Daniel Samek". World Football. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  10. ↑ Daniel Samek at Soccerway