Alex Král


Alex Král is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for German club Union Berlin. Born in Slovakia, he represents the Czech Republic national team at international level.
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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.

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

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.14 October 2019Generali Arena, Prague, Czech Republic2–32–3Friendly
2.14 November 2019Doosan Arena, Plzeň, Czech Republic1–12–1UEFA Euro 2020 qualification

Honours

Slavia Prague
Individual