Leicester City confirmed that Patson Daka, along with nine other first-team players, will leave the club at the end of the season upon the expiration of their contracts. The Chipolopolo striker was acquired from Austrian Bundesliga side RB Salzburg in the summer of 2021 for a Zambian record transfer fee of €30 million.
Signed as a long-term replacement to Jamie Vardy, Daka struggled to establish himself as the Foxes’ main striker, with his performances drawing criticism from a section of Leicester City supporters.
However, his time at the King Power Stadium was not always gloomy, as he had a host of memorable moments in a Leicester City shirt. BolaNews recounts Daka’s five greatest highlights at Leicester City.
FA Community Shield Victory
Daka’s time at Leicester City got off to a perfect start. Having played just 20 minutes for the club, the center forward already had a winner’s medal wrapped around his neck as the Foxes defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the 2021 FA Community Shield.
Fresh from winning the Austrian Bundesliga with Salzburg, Daka brought his magic to the Midlands, becoming the first Zambian in modern football history to win a trophy in England.
First Goal vs. Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Manchester United, who were on a run of 29 successive Premier League away matches without defeat, paid a visit to the King Power Stadium in October 2021. Little did they know that Daka and co. were preparing to spoil the party.
With the match tied 2-2 after 82 minutes, Jamie Vardy put Leicester City ahead with a stunning volley from 12 yards out. The Red Devils pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages of the match before Daka delivered the final dagger to the visitors.
Subbed on at 77 minutes, the Copper Bullet fired from point-blank range in the 91st minute to seal maximum points with his first goal for the Foxes. No Zambian had scored in the Premier League before Daka.
Poker in Moscow
Without doubt, Daka’s best performance at Leicester City was when he ran riot against Spartak Moscow, scoring four goals in a 2021-22 UEFA Europa League group stage encounter. With the match nearing the halftime break, the Foxes trailed by two goals before Daka grabbed a lifeline in the 45th minute.
Two quick fire goals from the Zambian right after the interval turned the game on its head as the Midlands outfit now led 3-2. Daka set the UEFA Europa League record for the fastest hat-trick ever after completing his treble in just nine minutes.
The speedster went on to add another in the 78th minute as Leicester City ran out 4-3 winners on the night.
Leicester City’s all-time top scorer in Europe
Daka etched his name into the history books in November 2021 when he became Leicester City’s all-time top scorer in European club competitions. In a 3-1 win vs Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Europa League, the Kafue Celtic product netted the opening goal, which set the European club record of five goals.
He extended that tally to six goals during a 4-1 win vs Randers FC in the UEFA Europa Conference League in February 2022. With Leicester City now competing in England’s third tier, Daka will hold the record for a very long time.
EFL Championship Glory
Following Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League in 2023, Daka was not part of new manager Enzo Maresca’s plans. The striker hardly played any football in the first half of the season during the Foxes’ 2023-24 EFL Championship campaign.
However, injuries to Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho saw Daka get a rare run in the side starting early December. He repaid Maresca’s trust, scoring seven goals and setting up five in 20 league matches as the Midlands club went on to win the EFL Championship and return to the Premier League.
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