Patson Daka
Patson Daka (born 9 October 1998) is a Zambian professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Leicester City and the Zambia national team. Coming through the youth system, Daka played for local club Kafue Celtic, who sent him on loan to Nchanga Rangers and Power Dynamos. In January 2017, Daka joined Red Bull Salzburg's reserve team Liefering in Austria, and was then made part of the first team in summer 2017. He helped Red Bull Salzburg win four Austrian Bundesliga titles and three Austrian Cups. In summer 2021, Daka joined Leicester City in the Premier  League. Daka represents Zambia internationally, making his senior debut in 2015 aged 16. Club career. Early career. Daka began his youth career at hometown club 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. At Dynamos, he ended the season as the club's top scorer with 12 goals. Liefering. Daka initially moved to Austria when he signed with Liefering  on a half-season loan from Kafue Celtic. 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. 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 after 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. Personal life. Daka's father, Nathtali Daka, was a former footballer who played as a winger for local club Kafue-based Nitrogen Stars. Honours. Red Bull Salzburg Youth Red Bull Salzburg Leicester City Zambia U20 Individual