Patson Daka


Patson Daka is a Zambian professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Leicester City and the Zambia national team.
Daka's career trajectory began within the youth system, where he showcased his abilities playing for local club Kafue Celtic. Subsequently, he was sent on loan to Nchanga Rangers and Power Dynamos, where he was able to further hone his skills. In January 2017, Daka joined Red Bull Salzburg's reserve team Liefering in Austria, and was then made part of the first team in the following summer. He helped Salzburg win four Austrian Bundesliga titles and three Austrian Cups. In summer 2021, Daka joined Leicester City in the Premier League.
Daka made his senior international debut for Zambia in 2015 at the age of 16.

Club career

Early career

Daka began his youth career at Kafue Celtic, joining their under-12s, before moving on to the under-14s in 2007, and to the under-17s in 2010.
In summer 2014, Daka was sent on a one-year loan to Nchanga Rangers in the Zambia Super League. He was then loaned out to Power Dynamos in summer 2015. Before that, he did some practice sessions with Lille but finally didn't sign with the French side. At Dynamos, he ended the season as the club's top scorer with 12 goals.
At the end of the 2016 season, he was awarded as the Zambia Super League Young Player of the Year.

FC Liefering

Daka moved to Austria in January 2016 when he signed with FC Liefering – the second-tier feeder team of Red Bull Salzburg – on a half-season loan from Kafue Celtic. Daka scored twice for the club in nine appearances to help them finish second in the 2.Liga.

Red Bull Salzburg

Daka signed with Red Bull Salzburg in 2017. He helped the club win the UEFA Youth League, scoring two goals in two games. On 27 November, Daka scored against Genk in the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League, becoming the first Zambian player to score in the competition's group stage.
On 18 December 2019, Daka extended his contract with Salzburg until the summer of 2024.
On 30 September 2020, he scored a brace in a 3–1 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the play-off round to qualify to the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League. On 21 May 2021, Daka was named Austrian Bundesliga player of the season after registering 27 goals in 28 games, as the club won their fourth successive league title.

Leicester City

On 30 June 2021, Daka signed for Premier League club Leicester City on a five-year contract, for a reported fee of £23 million. Daka made his debut for the club with an appearance off the bench in Leicester's 1–0 triumph over reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in the FA Community Shield on 7 August. On 23 August, Daka made his Premier League debut as a substitute for Harvey Barnes in a 4–1 away defeat to West Ham United.
On 16 October, he scored his first goal for Leicester City in a 4–2 win against Manchester United at King Power Stadium. He followed this up on 20 October by scoring all four goals in a 4–3 win over Spartak Moscow in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League, becoming the first Leicester player to score 4 in a game since 1958. On 25 November 2021, Daka became Leicester's all-time leading goalscorer in European competition by scoring in a 3–1 Europa League victory over Legia Warsaw.

International career

Daka made his senior debut for Zambia in a 2–0 friendly victory over Malawi on 10 May 2015. He was the 2017 CAF Young Player of the Year.
On 10 December 2025, Daka was called up to the Zambia squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Personal life

Daka's father, Nathtali Daka, was a former footballer who played as a winger for local club Kafue-based Nitrogen Stars. Daka is married to Zambian sprinter Suwilanji Mpondela. He is a devout Christian.

Career statistics

Club

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
15 September 2017Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine, Algeria1–01–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
211 November 2017Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola, Zambia1–02–22018 FIFA World Cup qualification
319 November 2019National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia1–11–22021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
425 March 2021National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia1–23–32021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
525 March 2021National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia3–33–32021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
629 March 2021National Sports Stadium, Harare, Zimbabwe1–02–02021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
729 March 2021National Sports Stadium, Harare, Zimbabwe2–02–02021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
813 November 2021National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia1–04–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
93 June 2022Stade de Yamoussoukro, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast1–31–32023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1026 March 2023Dobsonville Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa1–02–02023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1126 March 2023Dobsonville Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa2–02–02023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1217 June 2023Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola, Zambia2–03–02023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
139 September 2023Stade Omnisports de Malouzini, Moroni, Comoros1–11–12023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1417 October 2023Al Hamriya Sports Club Stadium, Al Hamriyah, United Arab Emirates1–03–0Friendly
1517 October 2023Al Hamriya Sports Club Stadium, Al Hamriyah, United Arab Emirates3–03–0Friendly
1617 November 2023Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola, Zambia1–04–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
1717 November 2023Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola, Zambia4–24–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
1821 November 2023Stade de Marrakech, Marrakesh, Morocco1–21–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
199 January 2024King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia1–01–1Friendly
2021 January 2024Laurent Pokou Stadium, San-Pédro, Ivory Coast1–11–12023 Africa Cup of Nations
2126 March 2024Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe, Malawi2–02–1Friendly
2222 December 2025Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca, Morocco1–01–12025 Africa Cup of Nations

Honours

Red Bull Salzburg Youth
Red Bull Salzburg
Leicester City
  • FA Community Shield: 2021
  • EFL Championship: 2023–24
Zambia U20
  • Africa U-20 Cup of Nations: 2017
  • COSAFA U-20 Cup: 2016
Individual
  • Africa U-20 Cup of Nations Best Player: 2017
  • Africa U-20 Cup of Nations Best XI: 2017
  • CAF Youth Player of the Year: 2017
  • Zambia Super League Young Player of the Year: 2014, 2016
  • Zambia Sportsman of the Year: 2017
  • Austrian Bundesliga Player of the Year: 2020–21
  • Austrian Bundesliga Top scorer: 2020–21
  • Austrian Bundesliga Team of the Year: 2020–21
  • Africa Cup of Nations qualification Top scorer: 2021