Bayer Leverkusen secured their first signing of this summer's transfer window by acquiring Czech Republic wonderkid Adam Hlozek from AC Sparta Prague for around €18 million. 

Early career 

Hlozek started off his career by playing for his local hometown team  Ivančice up until the age of 12 before leaving along with his brother to sign with Sparta Prague, where he joined the club's youth academy. 

Breakthrough at Sparta  Prague 

Barely four years later at just age 16 during the 2018-19 season Hlozek made his professional first team debut, coming on as a substitute in a  match  against Slavoj Polná and scoring the final goal as his team won 4-0.

Then, barely a month later, he made his first professional league debut for his club against Karviná as Sparta won the match 3-1. Hlozek went on to play 14 times for the senior team, scoring two goals, while also playing 11 matches for their youth team where he scored eight goals.

The following season Hlozek cemented himself as a first-team starter and had a very prolific season. He played 29 games in the domestic league, scoring four goals and getting eight assists, as well as playing nine matches in both domestic cup competitions, scoring four goals and getting one assist. To top it all off he managed to score for his team during a Europa League qualifying match. 

During the 2020/21 season, Hlozek had his most prolific season in front of goal. He played 19 matches during the league season and managed to score an impressive 15 goals as well as getting eight assists.

The following season Hlozek got his first taste of European football with Sparta Prague as they played in three different European competitions. Hlozek played all four playoff matches as his team tried to get into the Champions League. However they didn't manage it and they ended up in the Europa league. Hlozek again played in  five group matches however he only scored one goal and Sparta Prague finished third one point behind Rangers meaning they were relegated to the UEFA Conference League. Hlozek played two times in that competition, scoring one goal.

He also played 29 matches in the league getting eight goals and 13 assists which prompted Bayer Leverkusen to sign him this summer.

What he can offer Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen had a brilliant season this year, managing to finish third and show off some very talented youngsters such as German wonderkid Florian Wirtz and Ecuadorian center-back Piero Hincapié. But the one area of concern this season has been a lack of depth in the attacking third.

Patrik Schick, Moussa Diaby, and Wirtz between them had a staggering 51 goals and 31 assists last season. However, at some point one or more of them was injured for a substantial period of time with Leverkusen having no real quality backup.

Fortunately, Hlozek could be the solution to this problem. One immediate benefit of Hlozek signing for Leverkusen is the possibility of himself and Schick forming a deadly strike partnership because the two of them are of the same nationality and they play with each other for the Czech Republic national team.

Another benefit is the versatility of Hlozek, who is comfortable both centrally and out wide giving him an edge over players such as Diaby who are out-and-out wingers. As a result, he could potentially get more first-team opportunities instead of just being a backup. 

In addition, Hlozek is still very young meaning that Leverkusen have got several options regarding what to do with him in the future. If he lights up the Bundesliga like players such as Jude Bellingham, they could potentially sell him for a massive transfer sum. Or, if they want to keep him, he could eventually become their first-choice striker when other players who are older such as Schick either retire or leave.

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