Vladimír Darida is a professional footballer from the Czech Republic, known for his role as a midfielder.
He began his professional career at SC Freiburg, where he played from 2013 to 2015.
Darida signed with Hertha BSC in 2015, making an immediate impact by scoring on his debut.
Biography
Early Life
Vladimír Darida was born in Plzeň, Czech Republic, where he began his football journey at Viktoria Plzeň. His early career included a loan spell at FK Baník Sokolov in 2011, which helped him gain valuable experience on the pitch.
Career
Darida's professional career took off when he transferred to SC Freiburg in 2013 for a reported fee of four million Euros. He made an immediate impact, scoring in his debut during the UEFA Europa League group stage against Estoril Praia. His Bundesliga debut followed shortly after, although it was marked by a defeat against Hamburger SV. In 2014, he scored a crucial penalty that secured SC Freiburg's first win of the season.
In 2015, after Freiburg's relegation, Darida signed with Hertha BSC, where he continued to shine, scoring on his debut in the DFB-Pokal. He played a significant role in the team until 2022, after which he joined Aris Thessaloniki F.C. in 2023. As of 2025, he is set to play for FC Hradec Králové.
On the international stage, Darida debuted for the Czech Republic national team in 2012 and was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 2012. He later captained the team during UEFA Euro 2020 and announced his retirement from international football to focus on family, although he agreed to return for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs.
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Career & Clubs
Early football career in the Czech Republic
Born in Plzeň, Darida came through at Viktoria Plzeň whilst also spending time on loan at FK Baník Sokolov in 2011.
SC Freiburg
In late summer 2013, Darida transferred to SC Freiburg for a transfer fee reported as four million Euros, joining up with his compatriots Pavel Krmaš and Václav Pilař. According to Viktoria Plzeň owner Tomáš Paclík, Freiburg paid 6.2 million Euros for Darida and a 30% share of the next transfer. On 24 October 2013, Darida debuted for SC Freiburg in the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League group stage match against Estoril Praia, scoring a goal in the 11th minute which ended in a 1–1 draw. The same year on 27 October, he made his Bundesliga debut in a 0–3 home defeat against Hamburger SV. On 2 November 2014, Darida scored a penalty for the only goal of the game away to 1. FC Köln to give the club their first win in their 10th game of the season, moving them out of the direct relegation places.
Hertha BSC
Darida signed for Hertha BSC following Freiburg's relegation ahead of the 2015–16 Bundesliga for an undisclosed fee, wearing number 6 shirt. He made an immediate impact for his club by scoring on his debut in the first round of DFB-Pokal against Arminia Bielefeld, which ended in a 2–0 victory. Darida got his first assist of the season through setting up Salomon Kalou in a 3–1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund. On 27 September he got his first league goal of the season scoring the equaliser in a…
On 26 May 2012, Darida debuted for the Czech Republic national football team in a 2–1 friendly victory against Israel. Two days later, he was included in the Czech squad for the UEFA Euro 2012 to replace the injured defender Daniel Pudil. In the UEFA Euro 2012 quarter-final against Portugal, Darida earned his second international appearance as well as first in a competitive tournament, replacing the injured Tomáš Rosický before coming off as a substitute after 61 minutes for Jan Rezek, ending in a 1–0 loss for the Czechs. Darida was included in the Czech Republic squad for UEFA Euro 2020, serving as captain, after which he retired from international football as he wanted to focus on spending time with his family. Tomáš Souček was named as his successor as national team captain. In March 2026, Darida agreed to return to the national team and help the team in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs. On 31 May 2026, Darida was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Club
As of 17 May 2026
International
As of match played 18 June 2026
Scores and results list Czech Republic's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Darida goal.
- National team
- Czech Republic
- Club
- SC Freiburg (2013–2015)
- Club
- FC Viktoria Plzeň (2010–2013)
- Club
- FK Baník Sokolov (2011–2011)
- Club
- Hertha BSC (2015–2022)
- Club
- Czech Republic national under-21 football team (2011–2012)
- Club
- Czechia men's national football team (2012–)
- Club
- Czech Republic national under-20 football team (2011–2011)
- Club
- Hertha BSC II (2018–2019)
- Club
- Aris Thessaloniki F.C. (2023–2025)
- Club
- FC Hradec Králové (2025–)
- League
- Bundesliga
Legacy
Viktoria Plzeň
Czech First League: 2010–11, 2012–13 Czech Cup: 2009–10 Czech Supercup: 2011 Czech Republic
China Cup bronze: 2018 Individual
Czech Footballer of the Year: 2017
Clubs
- Czechia men's national football team2012current
- FC Hradec Králové2025current
- FC Viktoria Plzeň2010–2013
- Czech Republic national under-20 football team2011–2011
- Czech Republic national under-21 football team2011–2012
- FK Baník Sokolov2011–2011
- SC Freiburg2013–2015
- Hertha BSC2015–2022
- Hertha BSC II2018–2019
- Aris Thessaloniki F.C.2023–2025
Played together with
- Adel SellimiSC Freiburg · 1999–2002
Admir MehmediSC Freiburg · 2013–2014- Admir MehmediSC Freiburg · 2014–2015
Adrián RamosHertha BSC · 2009–2014
Alain SutterSC Freiburg · 1995–1997
Aleksandr BorodyukSC Freiburg · 1994–1995
Aleksandre IashviliSC Freiburg · 1997–2007
Alexander BaumjohannHertha BSC · 2013–2017- Alexander MadlungHertha BSC · 2003–2006
Alexander SchwolowHertha BSC · 2020- Alexander SchwolowSC Freiburg · 2010–2012
- Alexander SchwolowSC Freiburg · 2012–2020
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Vladimír Darida is a Czech professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Czech First League club Hradec Králové.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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