PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Zima |
| Date of Birth | 08/11/2000 (Age: 25) |
| Place of Birth | — |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Height | 1.90 m / 6 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 79–80 kg |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #2 (Czechia) |
| Current Club | Slavia Prague |
| Previous Clubs | Sigma Olomouc, Torino |
| International Caps | 22+ |
| International Goals | 1 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2028 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Czechia, the Czech Republic, had returned to the global stage for the first time since 2018. For David Zima, the 25-year-old centre-back from Slavia Prague, the tournament was the culmination of a career that had taken him from the Czech First League to Serie A and back again.
Zima was named in Czechia’s 26-man World Cup squad. He made his tournament debut on June 18, 2026, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute in a 1-1 draw with South Africa. The appearance was brief—just 13 minutes of World Cup football—but it was a significant moment for the defender who had returned to Slavia Prague as the most expensive transfer in Czech First League history.
Czechia’s World Cup campaign ended in the group stage, but Zima had achieved his dream of playing on the biggest stage of all. From Sigma Olomouc to Torino and back to Slavia, his journey was a testament to resilience and the value of returning home.
Origins
Born on November 8, 2000, David Zima began his professional career at Sigma Olomouc in the Czech First League, making his debut in 2019. He made just two league appearances for the club before attracting the attention of Slavia Prague.
Zima made his senior debut for the Czech Republic national team on March 24, 2021, in a World Cup qualifier against Estonia. Since then, he has earned over 22 caps for his country, scoring one international goal. He has represented Czechia in World Cup qualifying, European Championship qualifying, and the UEFA Nations League.
The European Forge
Sigma Olomouc (2019-2020):
Zima’s professional career began at Sigma Olomouc, where he made two league appearances and one cup appearance in the 2019-20 season. His performances were enough to earn him a move to Slavia Prague on loan in February 2020.
Slavia Prague (2020-2021):
Zima joined Slavia Prague on loan in February 2020 with an option to make the move permanent. He made 12 league appearances and scored one goal during the loan spell, impressing enough to secure a permanent transfer. Over his first stint at Slavia, he made 37 league appearances in total.
Torino (2021-2024):
On August 31, 2021, Zima signed for Serie A club Torino for a reported fee of €5 million. His debut season in Italy was promising—he played 20 league games, starting 13 of them, and accumulating 1,310 minutes of Serie A football. He helped Torino finish tenth in the league.
However, the 2022-23 season brought injury misfortune. A meniscus injury sustained at the end of January 2023 caused him to miss the rest of the season. He played in just 11 games that season, scoring one goal in the Coppa Italia.
His 2023-24 campaign saw him play fewer minutes, with only five appearances for Torino. During the winter transfer window, he was linked with a Bundesliga move. In total, across his time at Torino, Zima made 34 Serie A appearances, with 17 starts and one assist in 1,799 minutes of football. He accumulated three yellow cards.
Return to Slavia Prague (2024-Present):
On January 31, 2024, Zima returned to Slavia Prague on a contract until June 2028. The transfer fee was €4 million, making him the most expensive transfer in Czech First League history.
In the 2025/26 season, Zima was a key figure for Slavia in the First League. He made 23 appearances, conceded 15 goals, and kept 10 clean sheets. He recorded 1.57 tackles and 1.43 interceptions per 90 minutes, and 6.00 clearances per 90. He committed 12 fouls and received two yellow cards. He also featured in the UEFA Champions League. His salary at Slavia is reported to be €850,000 annually.
The Anatomy of His Game
David Zima is a commanding, right-footed centre-back known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and composure in possession. Standing at 190 cm, he is a formidable figure in the penalty area.
In Possession:
Zima is a composed passer from the back. In his career, he has recorded a pass completion rate of 87.8%. In the 2025/26 season, he recorded one assist. He is comfortable building play from defence.
Out of Possession:
Zima’s defensive work is the foundation of his game. In the 2025/26 First League season, he made 1.57 tackles per 90, 1.43 interceptions per 90, and 6.00 clearances per 90. He is strong in the air and has recorded two league titles with Slavia Prague. He has earned two yellow cards and no red cards in the 2025/26 season.
Psychological Edge:
Zima has demonstrated resilience throughout his career. He overcame a serious meniscus injury at Torino that could have derailed his progress. His return to Slavia Prague as the most expensive signing in Czech league history is a testament to his determination and the high regard in which he is held.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Clean Sheets | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First League | 24 | — | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2Y 0R |
| UEFA Champions League | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 (0) | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0Y 0R |
| TOTAL | 25 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2Y 0R |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | Sigma Olomouc | First League | 2 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | Slavia Prague (loan) | First League | 12 | 1 |
| 2020-21 | Slavia Prague | First League | 21 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | Slavia Prague / Torino | First League / Serie A | 24 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | Torino | Serie A | 9 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | Torino / Slavia Prague | Serie A / First League | 7 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | Slavia Prague | First League | 11 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | Slavia Prague | First League | 24 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 110+ | 1 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | Group Stage |
| World Cup Qualifying | 4 | 0 | — |
| UEFA Nations League | 7 | 0 | — |
| EURO Qualifiers | 2 | 0 | — |
| Friendlies | 9 | 1 | — |
| Czech Republic Senior Career | 22+ | 1 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Senior Debut | Sigma Olomouc |
| 2020 | Slavia Prague Transfer | Loan with option to buy |
| 2021 | Czech Republic Debut | vs Estonia |
| 2021 | Torino Transfer | €5M move to Serie A |
| 2024 | Return to Slavia Prague | €4M, most expensive Czech transfer |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Czechia squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | vs South Africa |
What these figures reveal is a player who has experienced a varied career, from the Czech First League to Serie A and back. Zima has accumulated over 100 professional appearances and kept 10 clean sheets in the 2025/26 First League season. His 22+ caps for Czechia and World Cup selection demonstrate his importance to the national team.
The Present Tense
David Zima is 25 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is a key player for Slavia Prague and a member of the Czech Republic national team following a World Cup campaign.
The Slavia Prague Story:
Zima returned to Slavia Prague in 2024 as the most expensive signing in Czech First League history. In the 2025/26 season, he made 24 appearances, kept 10 clean sheets, and was a key figure in the club’s defence. He is under contract with the club until 2028.
The World Cup Campaign:
Zima was named in Czechia’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made his tournament debut on June 18, 2026, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute in a 1-1 draw with South Africa. He played 13 minutes in the tournament. Czechia were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Zima has earned over 22 caps for the Czech Republic and has scored one international goal. He made his debut in 2021 and has been a regular presence in the national team setup, featuring in World Cup qualifying, the UEFA Nations League, and the World Cup finals.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, David Zima is a symbol of Czech football’s ability to produce and retain talent. His return to Slavia Prague as the most expensive signing in the league’s history is a testament to his value and the ambition of the club.
Zima has overcome significant injury challenges, including a meniscus injury that threatened his progress at Torino. His ability to return to form and earn a World Cup call-up demonstrates his resilience and professionalism.
The Verdict from the Camp
Statistic:
Zima has 22+ caps for the Czech Republic and made his World Cup debut against South Africa on June 18, 2026.
Statistic:
Zima made 24 appearances in the 2025/26 First League season, keeping 10 clean sheets.
Statistic:
Zima returned to Slavia Prague in 2024 for a €4 million fee, the most expensive transfer in Czech First League history.
Where Next?
David Zima is 25 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. He is under contract with Slavia Prague until 2028 and is expected to remain a key player for the club. His performances in the Czech First League and at the World Cup have raised his profile, and he could attract interest from clubs in Europe’s top leagues.
For Czechia, Zima is one of the most promising defenders in the squad. His experience at Torino and his return to form at Slavia have made him a reliable option for the national team. With a World Cup campaign under his belt, he will be expected to play a key role for Czechia in the 2027 European Championship qualifying campaign.
From Sigma Olomouc to Torino and back to Slavia, David Zima’s journey is one of resilience, recovery, and returning home. The defender who overcame a serious injury and became the most expensive signing in Czech football history has earned his place on the biggest stage of all.
