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Adam Karabec
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Adam Karabec (born 2 July 2003) is a Czech professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Ligue 1 club Lyon, on loan from Sparta Prague, and the Czech Republic national team. He was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation" list for 2020.[1]
Key Information
Club career
[edit]After a long spell in the youth academy of Bohemians 1905, which he had joined at the age of six, in 2016 Karabec gained a move to fellow Prague-based club Sparta Prague and began making it through the Letenští's youth teams. By the beginning of the 2019–20 season, Karabec was already a member of Sparta's under-19 squad, despite being only sixteen. In July 2019, he was named "Player of the Tournament" in the CEE Cup.[2] By September 2019, he had also begun to play for the reserve team in their regional group of the national third division.
It took less than five months to the midfielder to impress the then head coach Václav Jílek and gain a call-up to join the first team. Karabec subsequently made his professional debut on 23 February 2020, coming on as a replacement for David Moberg Karlsson at the 88th minute of his side's 1–0 loss against Sigma Olomuc. After collecting other three appearances as a substitute and scoring his first goal in a 4–1 win against Karviná, he also made his first start on 10 June 2020, as he featured in Sparta's 2–0 win against Opava and was replaced by Georges Mandjeck at the 76th minute.[3]
On 4 July 2024, Karabec joined German 2. Bundesliga club Hamburger SV on a loan with option to make the move permanent.[4] On 12 August 2025, he joined Ligue 1 club Lyon on a one-year loan deal with an option to make transfer permanent.[5] Later that month, on 23 August, he scored his first goal in a 3–0 victory over Metz.[6]
International career
[edit]A youth international for Czech Republic at several levels, in September 2020, Karabec received his first call-up both by the Under-21 and the senior national teams.[7]
On 2 September 2020, he made his debut for the former squad against San Marino U21, registering an assist for Václav Drchal's opener which ended up in a 6–0 victory for the Czechs.[citation needed] Exactly one week later, Karabec was featured on the bench in the senior team's UEFA Nations League match against Scotland.[citation needed]
Karabec played for the Czech Republic in the UEFA European Under-21 championships in 2021, 2023 and 2025, and thus became the first Czech player to appear in three UEFA European Under-21 championships.[8] On 8 September 2025, he debuted for the Czech Republic national football team in a 1–1 friendly draw against Saudi Arabia.[9]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of match played 9 November 2025[10]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sparta Prague | 2019–20 | Czech First League | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 | 1 | |
| 2020–21 | 23 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5[a] | 0 | 31 | 3 | ||
| 2021–22 | 30 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8[b] | 0 | 42 | 2 | ||
| 2022–23 | 23 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 28 | 2 | ||
| 2023–24 | 21 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7[a] | 0 | 30 | 5 | ||
| Total | 107 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 141 | 13 | ||
| Sparta Prague B | 2022–23 | Czech National Football League | 5 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 0 | ||
| Hamburger SV (loan) | 2024–25 | 2. Bundesliga | 31 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | 33 | 3 | |
| Lyon (loan) | 2025–26 | Ligue 1 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4[a] | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| Career total | 154 | 16 | 14 | 1 | 26 | 0 | 194 | 17 | ||
- ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
International
[edit]- As of match played 17 November 2025
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | 2025 | 4 | 2 |
| Total | 4 | 2 | |
Scores and results list the Czech Republic's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 12 October 2025 | Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 2. | 17 November 2025 | Andrův stadion, Olomouc, Czech Republic | 4–0 | 6–0 |
Honours
[edit]Sparta Prague
Individual
References
[edit]- ^ "Next Generation 2020: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Awards | CEE Cup 2019 | U19 Football Tournament". CEE Cup. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ Vacek, Jan (10 June 2020). "Karabec prvně v základu: Rozkoukával jsem se, ale nervozitu jsem odboural". Blesk (in Czech). Czech News Center.
- ^ "HSV sign Karabec". Hamburger SV. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ^ Panuška, David (12 August 2025). "Karabec opouští Spartu. Míří do slavného klubu, hrát bude se Šulcem". TV Nova (in Czech). Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Player Ratings | Lyon 3-0 Metz: Les Gones dominant against newly-promoted Les Grenats". Get Football News France. 23 August 2025.
- ^ Di Felice, Alessandro (20 July 2021). "Adam Karabec: Czech wonderkid being tipped to emulate Rosicky". Goal. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
- ^ "Nominace jednadvacítky na Euro: 23 jmen, mezi náhradníky je brankář Stoppen" (in Czech). Football Association of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ Marx, Hugo (9 September 2025). "Česko po nepřesvědčivém výkonu remizovalo se Saúdskou Arábií". Seznam Zprávy (in Czech). Retrieved 11 September 2025.
- ^ Adam Karabec at Soccerway. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "Sparta v euforii! Remíza na Slovácku odstartovala mistrovské oslavy". Sport.cz (in Czech). Borgis. Czech News Agency. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "SESTŘIH: Boleslav - Sparta 0:5. Titul pro Letenské! Kuchta dal čtyři góly". Blesk (in Czech). Czech News Center. Czech News Agency. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ Neumann, Robert (22 May 2024). "Sparta slaví double! Triumf v nervózním finále trefil Birmančevič". Sport.cz (in Czech). Borgis. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ "Nejlepším fotbalovým starším dorostencem byl zvolen sparťan Karabec". ceskenoviny.cz (in Czech). Czech News Agency. 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
External links
[edit]- Adam Karabec at the Czech First League
- Adam Karabec at Soccerway (archive)
Adam Karabec
View on GrokipediaEarly life and youth career
Early life
Adam Karabec was born on 2 July 2003 in Prague, Czech Republic.[1] At the age of six, he joined the academy of Bohemians 1905 in 2009.[1]Youth career
Karabec joined the youth academy of Bohemians 1905 in 2009 at the age of six, where he spent the next six years in the club's youth setup.[1] In 2015, at age 12, Karabec transferred to the AC Sparta Prague youth academy.[1] He progressed steadily through the age groups, starting with the U15 team and advancing to U17 and U19 levels by 2019, consistently featuring as a key player in domestic Czech youth leagues.[1] Karabec's standout achievements in Sparta's youth system included being named the best player of the CEE Cup in 2019, where he helped the U19 team reach the final and contributed decisively with goals and assists in the tournament.[6] He was also elected the best junior at the Grassroots 2019 event and performed notably at the All Stars Cup, showcasing his ability to excel in international youth competitions.[6] In 2020, he was included in The Guardian's Next Generation list of the best young talents in world football.[7]Club career
Sparta Prague
Karabec made his senior debut for Sparta Prague on 23 February 2020, substituting in during a 0–0 Czech First League draw against Sigma Olomouc at age 16.[8] He quickly established himself as a promising substitute in the attacking midfield, scoring his first professional goal on 31 May 2020 in a 4–1 away win over MFK Karviná. As part of the squad, he contributed to Sparta's Czech Cup victory that season, though his role was limited to reserve status during the early knockout stages.[9] Over the following seasons, Karabec's involvement grew steadily in the Czech First League. In 2020/21, he made 23 appearances with 3 goals and 1 assist, often rotating as a creative option behind the forwards.[10] His breakthrough came in 2021/22, featuring in 30 league matches with 2 goals and 2 assists, including key substitute roles in high-stakes fixtures. By 2022/23, he logged 23 appearances, 2 goals, and became integral to Sparta's title-winning campaign, helping secure the Czech First League with consistent midfield energy during the championship group phase. In the 2023/24 season, Karabec peaked with 21 league outings, 4 goals, and 3 assists, solidifying his status as a core attacking midfielder. Karabec played a pivotal role in Sparta's back-to-back Czech First League titles in 2022/23 and 2023/24, contributing to qualifying rounds for European competitions with his vision and pressing.[9] Notably, in the 2023/24 Czech Cup semifinal derby against rivals Slavia Prague on 28 February 2024, he scored a decisive penalty in extra time during a 2–1 comeback victory, helping propel Sparta to the final and eventual triumph.[11] Across all competitions from 2020 to 2024, he amassed 141 appearances, 13 goals, and 11 assists for the club.[12] In recognition of his development, Sparta extended Karabec's contract in June 2020 to 2023, followed by further extensions securing his commitment through 2026, underscoring his emergence as a key creative force in the squad.[13] To aid further growth, he was loaned to Hamburger SV for the 2024/25 season.[3]Hamburger SV (loan)
In July 2024, Adam Karabec joined Hamburger SV on a season-long loan from Sparta Prague, with the club viewing him as a key creative midfielder to bolster their attacking options in the 2. Bundesliga promotion push.[14][3] The 21-year-old signed immediately ahead of preseason training, bringing his experience from the Czech First League where he had shown flair in central midfield roles. Expectations centered on his ability to provide goals and assists in a high-tempo environment, complementing HSV's squad under coach Steffen Baumgart. During the 2024-25 campaign, Karabec made 31 appearances (7 starts) in the 2. Bundesliga, accumulating 1,956 minutes, while contributing 3 goals and 3 assists.[4] He also featured in 2 DFB-Pokal games, adding 1 assist. Key moments included a goal in a 2–1 win over 1. FC Kaiserslautern on 21 September 2024, a goal in a 2–1 victory against SV Darmstadt 98 on 8 December 2024, and a goal in a 4–1 league win over Fortuna Düsseldorf on 8 March 2025, which boosted morale amid the title race. An assist came in a 7–1 cup thrashing of SV Meppen on 18 August 2024. His contributions proved vital in HSV's promotion-securing 6–1 victory over SSV Ulm on 10 May 2025, where he started in midfield and aided the team's creative buildup during the run-in, ending their seven-year absence from the Bundesliga.[15][16] Karabec adapted to the physical and tactical demands of German second-division football by adjusting to its high-intensity pressing and direct style, which contrasted with the more possession-based play in the Czech league. Playing primarily as a mezzala in a 4-2-3-1 formation, he focused on box-to-box runs and quick transitions, building stamina to handle the league's average match intensity of over 110 km covered per team.[17] His technical skills shone in tight spaces, though he occasionally struggled with the robust defending, as seen in early yellow cards for fouls. Karabec's integration enhanced HSV's team dynamics, particularly through partnerships with forwards like Davie Selke and Jean-Luc Dompé, where his vision led to several key assists in transitional plays. Fans embraced him during the promotion campaign, chanting his name in the Volksparkstadion after standout performances, such as his goal against Fortuna Düsseldorf in March 2025. Following the loan's conclusion, he briefly returned to Sparta Prague in summer 2025.Olympique Lyonnais (loan)
On August 12, 2025, Adam Karabec joined Olympique Lyonnais on a season-long loan from Sparta Prague, with the deal running until June 30, 2026, and including a €300,000 loan fee alongside an option to buy for approximately €3.5 million.[18][19] Assigned shirt number 7, Karabec was deployed primarily as an attacking midfielder, bringing versatility to the right wing or central roles.[20] Upon arrival, he quickly integrated into training, participating in his first session shortly after passing his medical, where coach Paulo Fonseca highlighted him as a key addition to bolster midfield depth and creativity.[21][19] As of November 17, 2025, Karabec had made 11 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring 1 goal and providing 0 assists (656 minutes), while featuring in 4 Europa League matches with 2 assists (241 minutes). No contributions were recorded in domestic cup competitions during this period.[22] His debut goal came in an 83rd-minute rebound finish during a 3–0 home win over FC Metz on 23 August 2025, sealing the victory after entering as a substitute.[23] In Europe, he delivered a standout performance on 2 October 2025, with two precise crosses leading to goals in a 2–0 victory against Red Bull Salzburg, earning recognition as Lyon's top contributor in the match and inclusion in the Europa League Team of the Round.[24] Recent appearances included a substitute role in Lyon's 0–0 Ligue 1 draw against Brest on 2 November 2025 and a full 90 minutes in a 0–2 Europa League loss to Real Betis on 6 November 2025. Adapting to Ligue 1's higher tempo presented initial hurdles for Karabec, including competition for starting spots amid Lyon's squad depth and the need to build physical tenacity beyond his technical strengths.[1] His prior loan at Hamburger SV aided this transition by providing experience in a competitive European environment, allowing him to focus on refining his role in Fonseca's system. Despite these challenges, he demonstrated quick progress, often rotating into the lineup and contributing to Lyon's push toward the upper echelons of the table. Fonseca has praised Karabec's fit within the team's attacking framework, noting his vision and left-footed delivery as assets for long-term development, with the buy option positioning him as a potential permanent squad member beyond 2026.[19]International career
Youth international career
Karabec began his international career with the Czech Republic youth teams at the age of 14, receiving his first call-up to the U15 squad in November 2017. He made 10 appearances for the U15 team.[25] He progressed to the U16 level, where he earned 8 caps in friendly matches between 2018 and 2019, scoring 2 goals and accumulating 588 minutes of play.[26] At the U19 level, Karabec made 7 appearances from 2019 to 2021, including 3 in UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers and 4 in friendlies, though he did not score during this period.[26] His U19 involvement highlighted his growing role in competitive fixtures, contributing to the team's development ahead of higher-age-group transitions.[27] Karabec's most prominent youth international phase came with the U21 team, where he amassed 30 caps from 2021 onward, scoring 5 goals—all in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers—and providing 4 assists.[26] He featured in three consecutive UEFA European Under-21 Championships, becoming the first Czech player to do so. In the 2021 edition hosted by Hungary and Slovenia, the 17-year-old started two of Czechia's three group-stage matches as the team exited in the group phase.[28] During the 2023 tournament in Georgia, he played in all five matches, including the semi-final run.[29] In 2025, hosted by Slovakia, Karabec appeared in 3 games and netted 1 goal as Czechia competed in the group stage.[30] Across all youth levels, Karabec recorded over 45 caps, demonstrating his versatility as an attacking midfielder and aiding the development of his technical and tactical skills on the international stage. This progression culminated in his debut for the Czech Republic U21 team in September 2020.[26]Senior international career
Adam Karabec earned his first senior call-up to the Czech Republic national team in September 2025, following a series of impressive performances in youth internationals and club football.[31] He made his senior debut on September 8, 2025, in a 1–1 friendly draw against Saudi Arabia, coming on as a substitute at halftime to play 45 minutes as an attacking midfielder.[31][32] Karabec's second appearance came on October 12, 2025, during a 2–1 victory over the Faroe Islands in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, where he substituted in at halftime, played 45 minutes as a left winger, and scored the equalizing goal in the 78th minute.[31] His third appearance was on November 13, 2025, in a 1–0 friendly win over San Marino, where he came on as a substitute and played 63 minutes as a right winger, providing an assist for the only goal.[31] As of November 17, 2025, Karabec has accumulated 3 senior caps, 1 goal, and 1 assist for the Czech Republic, primarily featuring as a substitute in competitive and friendly fixtures.[31][32] Under head coach Ivan Hašek, Karabec has been included in recent national team squads, signaling his emerging role in the senior setup after captaining the U21 side at multiple UEFA European Under-21 Championships.[33][34]Playing style
Attributes and comparisons
Adam Karabec, standing at 1.87 meters and weighing 74 kilograms, possesses a lean yet athletic build that supports his stamina on the pitch, allowing him to maintain high energy levels throughout matches while contributing to pressing efforts.[1][35] His left-footed precision is a standout feature, enabling accurate deliveries and shots, particularly when cutting inside from the right flank. Karabec excels in vision for assists, often identifying and executing progressive passes under pressure, complemented by his ability to dribble effectively in tight spaces to evade defenders and create opportunities.[36][37] Karabec demonstrates positional versatility, primarily operating as an attacking midfielder or right winger, where he thrives in half-spaces and on the touchline to link play and provide width. His pass accuracy hovers around 78% in competitive matches, reflecting reliable distribution, while he averages approximately 1.2 key passes per game to set up scoring chances for teammates.[38][39][40] In terms of playing style, Karabec's creative flair and intelligent positioning draw comparisons to Czech legend Tomáš Rosický, particularly in his ability to combine vision, passing range, and direct ball progression to influence attacks.[37] Scouting reports highlight areas for growth, including bolstering defensive contributions—where his tackling remains underdeveloped—and improving aerial duels, despite his height advantage, due to a relatively slight frame that can limit physical confrontations.[36][39]Reception
Adam Karabec garnered significant early attention as a "Czech wonderkid" following his breakthrough performances with Sparta Prague in 2020 and 2021. At just 16, he became the third-youngest goalscorer in Czech top-flight history, and his playmaking abilities drew comparisons to national icon Tomáš Rosický, with outlets describing him as the best midfield prospect to emerge in the country since the former Arsenal star.[37] His inclusion in Goal.com's NXGN list of top wonderkids in 2022 further amplified the hype, highlighting his vision and passing as key traits reminiscent of Rosický's style.[41] During his 2024–25 loan at Hamburger SV, Karabec received praise for his contributions to the team's promotion to the Bundesliga, serving as a key midfield linchpin in the 2. Bundesliga campaign. He featured regularly, providing dynamism in transitions and contributing to HSV's successful push for top-flight return under manager Stefan Baumgart.[42] However, his subsequent 2025–26 loan to Olympique Lyonnais has drawn critiques regarding adaptation challenges, exacerbated by prior muscular problems. Early match ratings noted his positioning but criticized inconsistent end product, such as in a 6/10 performance against Marseille where he struggled with final delivery despite promising runs.[43] As of November 2025, Karabec has continued to feature as a substitute in key matches, including against Paris Saint-Germain on 9 November.[44] Scouting evaluations underscore Karabec's rising potential, with Transfermarkt assessing his market value at €6 million as of October 2025, reflecting growth from earlier loans and his technical profile. Reports emphasize his height (1.87m) enabling quick directional changes and midfield versatility, positioning him as a high-upside talent for top European leagues.[1][36] By late 2025, Karabec's legacy is that of a hyped prospect transitioning to senior impact, with Czech fans viewing him as a symbol of the nation's midfield revival though some express caution over his injury history and inconsistent breakthroughs at club level. His senior international recognition, including an equalizing goal for the Czech Republic against the Faroe Islands in October 2025, has bolstered his reputation domestically.[45]Career statistics
Club
As of 17 November 2025, Karabec's club statistics are as follows:| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals | Assists | Cup | Apps | Goals | Assists | Europe | Apps | Goals | Assists | Total | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta Prague | 2020–21 | Czech First League | 5 | 1 | 0 | Czech Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 5 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Sparta Prague | 2021–22 | Czech First League | 15 | 2 | 3 | Czech Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 17 | 2 | 3 | |||
| Sparta Prague | 2022–23 | Czech First League | 11 | 1 | 0 | Czech Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | UEFA Europa League | 6 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 1 | 1 | |
| Sparta Prague | 2023–24 | Czech First League | 4 | 0 | 2 | Czech Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | UEFA Champions League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | |
| Hamburger SV (loan) | 2024–25 | 2. Bundesliga | 28 | 3 | 4 | DFB-Pokal | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 31 | 3 | 4 | |||
| Olympique Lyonnais (loan) | 2025–26 | Ligue 1 | 11 | 1 | 2 | Coupe de France | 0 | 0 | 0 | UEFA Europa League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 2 |