Alex Král (born 19 May 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Danish Superliga club Copenhagen. Born in Slovakia, he plays for the Czech Republic national team.
Early life Born in Slovakia, Král's family moved to Štýřice, Brno in the Czech Republic, when he was a child. He began playing football at SK Moravská Slavia Brno aged six, before joining Zbrojovka Brno aged nine. At 14, he was scouted and recruited by Slavia Prague moving to Prague to continue his development.
Club career Slavia Prague In January 2019, he signed a four-year contract with Slavia Prague.
Spartak Moscow On 1 September 2019, he signed a five-year contract with the Russian Premier League club Spartak Moscow. He has since played for the club for several seasons, which included participation in the UEFA Champions League.
Loan to West Ham United On 31 August 2021, Král joined English side West Ham United on a season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent. He made his debut on 22 September in a 1–0 win against Manchester United in the EFL Cup at Old Trafford. His league debut followed when he came on as a substitute in a 4–1 win at Watford on 28 December 2021. Král made one appearance in the Premier League, three times in the Europa League and once in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup before his loan ended.
Contract suspension and Schalke 04 On 1 July 2022, Spartak announced that Král suspended his contract with Spartak Moscow for the 2022–23 season using FIFA's special regulations related to the international response and other fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On 14 July 2022, Schalke 04 announced the signing of Král to a one-year contract, and under FIFA regulations he remained a Spartak player temporarily playing for Schalke 04.
Union Berlin On 2 June 2023, Union Berlin announced the signing of Král ahead of the new season. In his first season at the club, Král made 24 appearances in the Bundesliga, two appearances in the DFB-Pokal, and a further six appearances in Union Berlin's maiden campaign in the Champions League.
Loan to Espanyol On 7 August 2024, Král was loaned out to newly promoted La Liga side Espanyol.
Copenhagen On 16 July 2026, Král signed a contract with Danish Superliga club Copenhagen as a free agent.
International career Král made his debut for the Czech Republic national team on 26 March 2019 in a friendly against Brazil, as a 69th-minute substitute for David Pavelka.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsTeplice2016–17Czech First League3000——302017–18Czech First League23131——2622018–19Czech First League17020——190Total43151——482Slavia Prague2018–19Czech First League1203061—2112019–20Czech First League60—201090Total180308110301Spartak Moscow2019–20Russian Premier League19040——2302020–21Russian Premier League29010——3002021–22Russian Premier League500020—70Total5305020—600West Ham United (loan)2021–22Premier League1010301060Schalke 04 (loan)2022–23Bundesliga29020——310Union Berlin2023–24Bundesliga2402061—3212025–26Bundesliga20010——210Total4403061—531Espanyol (loan)2024–25La Liga37020——390Copenhagen2026–27Danish Superliga91106100162Career total2342221253202836
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsCzech Republic2019922020702021130202250202350202440202550202630Total512
Scores and results list the Czech Republic's goal tally first. + List of international goals scored by Alex Král No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 14 October 2019 Generali Arena, Prague, Czech Republic 2–3 2–3 Friendly 2. 14 November 2019 Doosan Arena, Plzeň, Czech Republic 1–1 2–1 UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
Honours Slavia Prague Czech First League: 2018–19 Czech Cup: 2018–19
Individual UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2017
References
External links
Alex Král at West Ham United F.C. (archived)