David Pavelka (born 18 May 1991) is a Czech former professional footballer who last played as a midfielder for Sparta Prague B and the Czech Republic national team.

Club career

First spell at Sparta

Pavelka started his career with Sparta Prague, from where he joined 1. FC Slovácko on loan in 2011. Two days after his loan was announced, he scored his first Slovácko goal in a 1–1 draw with Sigma Olomouc.

Liberec

At the start of 2013 Pavelka transferred from Sparta Prague to Slovan Liberec, as part of a deal involving Lukáš Vácha moving in the opposite direction. After the 2014–15 Czech Cup final finished without a winner on 27 May 2015, Pavelka took Liberec's first penalty in the shoot-out and converted his spot-kick as his club defeated Jablonec 3–1 to win the trophy.

Playing abroad

On 19 January 2016, Pavelka moved abroad for the first time, joining Süper Lig football club Kasımpaşa in a transfer worth a reported $1.65 million. He signed a contract until the end of the 2017–18 season.

Return to Sparta

On 6 October 2020, Pavelka returned to his native country, signing for Sparta Prague in the Czech First League. In one of his first games after returning, he received a red card in a November 2020 4–2 home loss against České Budějovice.

On 3 January 2025, it was decided that Pavelka will move to Sparta Prague B, where he will mentor the young players.

International career

On 3 September 2015, Pavelka debuted as a starter in the Czech senior squad in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying against Kazakhstan, ending in a 2–1 victory for the Czechs. He was eventually selected to represent the Czech Republic at the final tournament held in France.

With the arrival of Jaroslav Šilhavý to the national team in 2018, Pavelka played all the minutes in the three remaining matches of the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League as well as a friendly match against Poland, becoming a key player of the entire team.

Pavelka scored his first national team goal in a friendly match against Brazil on 26 March 2019.

Career statistics

Club

As of matches played 15 December 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sparta Prague2010–11Czech First League30–––30
2012–1371–30–101
Total101003000131
Slovácko (loan)2011–12Czech First League22420––244
Slovan Liberec2012–13Czech First League13241––173
2013–1429810141–449
2014–152036230–295
2015–16142109110253
Total76151232621011520
Kasımpaşa2015–16Süper Lig9000––90
2016–1725282––334
2017–1832020––340
2018–1928170––351
2019–2010000––100
2020–214000––40
Total108317200001255
Sparta Prague2020–21Czech First League2523050–372
2021–22Czech First League28420110–374
2022–23Czech First League1813000–211
2023–24Czech First League612020–101
2024–25Czech First League501030–90
Total828110210–1148
Sparta Prague II2022–23Czech National Football League10–––10
2023–24Czech National Football League10–––10
Total20–––20
Career total300314255021039337

International

As of match played 16 November 2021.

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Czech Republic
201550
201690
201700
201840
201941
202130
Total251

Scores and results list Czech Republic's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Pavelka goal.

List of international goals scored by David Pavelka
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
126 March 2019Sinobo Stadium, Prague, Czech RepublicBrazil1–01–3Friendly

Honours

Sparta Prague

External links

  • , FAČR (in Czech)
  • at Soccerway