Tomas Soucek

Czech Tomas Soucek pictured during a press conference of the Czech national soccer team, ahead of their match against the Belgian Red Devils, in Brussels, Saturday 04 September 2021.

From small town Czechia to European and international soccer. Tomas Soucek is now an integral part of West Ham United's ongoing improvement.

Tomas Soucek is a professional soccer player who plays midfield for Premier League club West Ham United and is captain of the Czech Republic international team.

Soucek started in the Slavia Prague youth ranks aged 10 before being sent out on multiple loans.

However, a loan deal to West Ham United would cement a move to the Premier League, where he would become one of the best holding-midfielders in the division.

Beginnings at Slavia Prague

Soucek progressed through the ranks at Slavia Prague, and in 2014 he signed his first professional contract with the club.

Soucek was quickly moved on loan to Czech side Viktoria Zizkov. The midfielder played 14 games for the club during the 2014/15 campaign, however, despite finishing fourth, Zizkov were relegated due to ongoing debt.

Following impressive displays at Viktoria Zizkov, Soucek earned himself a place in the Slavia Prague starting 11 the following season. The midfielder played 31 times in all competitions for the Czech side in 2015/16, scoring seven and claiming one assist.

However, the arrival of new signing Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui forced him out of Prague and on loan to Slovan Liberec in January 2017.

His loan moves would prepare him for the next two season with Slavia Prague, and in particular, their domestic double winning season in 2018/19.

Soucek returned to Slavia in the 2018 and helped the side win the Czech Cup final. The following season he played 49 matches, representing as club captain for five fixtures, scoring 18 and nine assists. Slavia Prague finished top of the Czech First League with 83 points, and won the Czech Cup again.

His impressive performances during the season earned Soucek the Czech Footballer of the Year award for 2019.

In the following campaign, Soucek captained his side for the majority of the season. However, in January 2020, the Czech international signed on loan for Premier League West Ham United.

The midfielder helped rescue the Hammers from relegation, finishing in 16th place and five points from the drop. His performances in East London secured him a permanent move to the club.

Europa League with West Ham United

In July 2020, Soucek signed for West Ham for a fee of £20million, and a month later he was awarded the Czech Golden Ball.

Soucek very quickly became a fan favourite amongst West Ham fans, scoring his first goal for Hammers in a 1-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League.

The Czech racked up 10 goals and one assist in the 2020/21 campaign, and was the club's joint top goal scorer with striker Michail Antonio.

Results against Spurs, Arsenal, and Manchester City helped West Ham achieve sixth place in the Premier League and qualification for the 2021/22 Europa League.

Soucek's performances won him Hammer of the Year, as well as the Czech Golden Ball for the second year in a row. He had become a crucial member of David Moyes' West Ham side.

International career

Tomas Soucek represented the Czech Republic from Under-19 level before making his senior debut in November 2016 in a friendly against Denmark.

He has played over 45 times for the senior side, scoring eight, three of those came in a 6-2 World Cup Qualifying win against Estonia.

Soucek played in all six of Czech Republic's EURO 2020 fixtures, before they were knocked out by Denmark in the quarter-finals.

Personal life

Soucek is married to Natalia, and the couple have a daughter called Terezka.

His father, Frantisek, is reportedly the driving force behind Soucek reaching it as a professional.

Net worth

Tomas Soucek's net worth is reported to be £4.4million.

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