Bořek Dočkal (born 30 September 1988) is a Czech former professional footballer who played as a midfielder and captained Sparta Prague. Outside of his native Czech Republic, he played club football in Turkey, Norway, China, and the United States. Dočkal represented Czech Republic at international level, serving as captain at both youth and senior levels.

Club career

Early career

Dočkal began his football career in Poděbrady and moved to Slavia Prague at the age of 10. He went through all the youth teams of Slavia and made his first team debut against SK Kladno. Dočkal scored his first goal for Slavia in his third match against FK Teplice and was sent on a loan to Czech First League side Slovan Liberec in winter 2008, where he signed a contract several months later. Dočkal went on a year loan to Turkish Super League side Konyaspor in July 2010.

Rosenborg

In August 2011, Dočkal signed a long-term contract with Norwegian side Rosenborg. He contributed with one assist in his first game, where Rosenborg won 3–1 against rivals Molde. During the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League, Dočkal scored 7 goals in 12 matches (6 goals in 7 games over the course of the preliminary stages), including a dramatic injury-time goal against Kazakh club FC Ordabasy on 26 July 2012, to propel nine-man Rosenborg to a 4–3 aggregate victory. After two years with Rosenborg, during which Dočkal scored 14 goals in 55 league matches, he returned to the Czech Republic in August 2013, signing a three-year contract with Sparta Prague.

Henan Jianye

In February 2017, Dočkal secured a transfer from Sparta Prague to Chinese Super League club Henan Jianye. The transfer was reported in the range of €8.5 million, among the highest recorded for the Czech top division. Dočkal made 23 starts and scored four goals during the 2017 season.

Loan to Philadelphia Union

In February 2018, Dočkal signed a loan move with the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer as the team's third designated player. After a few matches with his new team, Dočkal's first goal was a game-winner for the Union against D.C. United. Dočkal proved to be successful in Philadelphia, earning the Union's most valuable player for the season and setting the record for most assists for a season, and lead Major League Soccer in assists for the 2018 season.

Return to Sparta Prague

In February 2019, Dočkal returned to Sparta Prague. He announced his retirement from professional football in May 2022.

International career

Dočkal was the captain of the Czech U-21 team. He represented the team at the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. Dočkal debuted for the Czech senior squad against Slovakia in November 2012. With the introduction of 2018–19 UEFA Nations League, he became captain and made two assists in another match against Slovakia.

Career statistics

Club

International goals

Honours

Individual