Fourteen years red and white
29.1.2020, Klub
After 14 years in Slavia Tomáš Souček moves to West Ham United. Review the milestones in his red and white career.
Tomáš Souček leaves Slavia for West Ham United. The clubs agreed on half-season loan of 24-year old midfielder for 4.5 mil. € with an agreed fee of 16.2 mil. € for permanent transfer in case West Ham will not be relegated to the Championship. The Hammers currently sit 17th in the English Premier League table.
Read the extraordinary story of player who joined Slavia as 10-year old in 2006.
Read the extraordinary story of player who joined Slavia as 10-year old in 2006.
The beginning
Souček joined Slavia at the age of 10 from his native town Havlíčkův Brod. After spending several years in youth teams, he moved on loan to Viktoria Žižkov (2nd tier) where he met current Slavia manager Jindřich Trpišovský for the very first time.
Since his return to Slavia for 2015/16 season he became regular starter and scored his maiden goal in red and white. At the age of 20, on 16 August 2015 against Jihlava.
First hattrick
On 28 February 2016, just a day after his 21st birthday, Souček scored the only hat trick of his career against Baník Ostrava. As defensive midfielder he became second youngest player to score hat trick in the Czech league. In 2015/16 Souček started in all but one league games and scored 7 goals.
First title
The 2016/17 season Souček started in Slavia, but after the arrival of new manager Jaroslav Šilhavý he left on loan to Slovan Liberec for the second half of the season. There he crossed his path with manager Jindřich Trpišovský again. At the end of the season Slavia celebrated their first Czech title after 9 years and thanks to his starts during autumn 2016 Souček won his first Czech title too.
Return of the captain
For the following season Souček returned to Slavia again and instantly became one of the key players and leaders. For the performance on the pitch and for the atmosphere in the dressing room too. Halfway through the season he was re-united again with manager Jindřich Trpišovský who replaced Jaroslav Šilhavý. It was him who made Souček captain for the first time, on 17 April 2018 in the MOL Cup game against Jihlava. Since then Souček wore the captain’s armband in 39 games.
The phenomenon
The 2018/19 season will remain in the memory of our fans as one of the most successful and Tomáš Souček as one of the leaders of the team. As defensive midfielder he scored 18 goals including important strikes against Sevilla and Chelsea in the Europa League. He also scored three times against Plzeň and four times against Sparta - the main rivals - and became Slavia top scorer of the season. At the end he could lift the Czech Cup, became the league champion and was voted the Player of the Season.
The dream
Another dream fulfilled came with the UEFA Champions League group stage. Souček started in all 6 games against Barcelona, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund, five times as captain, and scored two goals. With 76.1 kilometres covered in 6 games he became leader in fitness statistics among all players.
National team
In EURO 2020 Qualification Souček started in all 8 games for the Czech national team including memorable 2-1 win home against England which was the first qualification defeat for Albion after 10 years. Souček also scored his first goal incompetitive game against Montenegro. In 25 games overall for the Czech national team Souček scored 3 goals.
