The 11th-minute goal against Estoril Praia on 24 October 2013 marked the European debut for Vladimír Darida. A professional footballer born in Plzeň in 1990, he has navigated a career across Czech, German, and domestic leagues. His tenure on the pitch has spanned over a decade, encompassing major club tournaments and international representation at the highest level of European competition.
Early Career and Domestic Success
Darida developed as a youth player at Viktoria Plzeň. His early professional development included a loan spell at FK Baník Sokolov in 2011. During his initial period with Viktoria Plzeň, he secured multiple domestic titles, including the Czech First League championships in 2010–11 and 2012–13, alongside a Czech Cup win in 2009–10 and a Czech Supercup victory in 2011.
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In late summer 2013, Darida moved to SC Freiburg. The transfer fee was subject to conflicting reports, with owner Tomáš Paclík stating the figure reached 6.2 million Euros. He debuted in the Bundesliga against Hamburger SV in October 2013. Following Freiburg's relegation, he transferred to Hertha BSC ahead of the 2015–16 season. At Hertha, he debuted with a goal in the DFB-Pokal against Arminia Bielefeld and maintained a consistent presence in the German top flight.
International Representation
Darida made his international debut for the Czech Republic on 26 May 2012 against Israel. Later that year, he joined the UEFA Euro 2012 squad as a replacement for Daniel Pudil, appearing in the quarter-final against Portugal. He served as the national team captain for UEFA Euro 2020. After a period of international retirement, he returned to the squad in March 2026 to assist with 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, eventually earning a place in the final 26-man tournament roster in May 2026.
Recent Club Activity
Following his time in Germany, Darida moved to Aris Thessaloniki in December 2022. By May 2025, he returned to the Czech First League, signing a one-year contract with Hradec Králové that included an option for extension.
Fast facts
- Born: 1990, Plzeň
- Citizenship: Czech Republic
- Czech Footballer of the Year: 2017
- International debut: 26 May 2012
- Current club: Hradec Králové
Questions readers ask
Did Vladimír Darida win any individual honors?
Yes, he was named the Czech Footballer of the Year in 2017.
When did Darida return to the Czech national team?
He agreed to return to the national team in March 2026 for the FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs.
Achievements
- Worked as association football player and athlete