David Strelec

David Strelec (born 4 April 2001) is a Slovak professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Middlesbrough and the Slovakia national team.

Club career

Strelec made his Fortuna Liga debut for ŠK Slovan Bratislava against Zemplín Michalovce on 5 August 2018. He transferred to Spezia Calcio in summer 2021, signing a five-year contract on the last day of the transfer window. On 31 January 2023, Strelec joined Serie B club Reggina on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season. Strelec returned to Spezia at the end of his loan. He returned to Slovan Bratislava in summer 2023 on loan with an option to buy, which the club activated in May 2024, giving him a four-year contract.

In the first half of the 2024–25 Slovak First Football League, Strelec scored 11 times in 19 matches. On 5 November 2024, he scored the opening goal in a 1-4 defeat against GNK Dinamo in the UEFA Champions League. Strelec scored another goal in that season's competition against Spanish club Atlético Madrid. In the January 2025 transfer window, Strelec was subject to transfer interest from British clubs, Middlesbrough and Celtic. He was signed for an upfront fee of £6.5 million with a further £2.5 million in add-ons.

International career In March 2021, Strelec received his first call-up to Slovak senior national team by Štefan Tarkovič for three 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Cyprus, Malta, and Russia. He made his debut on 24 March in a goalless draw against Cyprus, replacing Ondrej Duda after 83 minutes. He scored his first international goal against Malta, scoring with his head to reduce Malta's lead to 2–1, in a match which finished 2–2.

In November 2024, Strelec scored the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute of a UEFA Nations League match against Estonia in Trnava. This was his 4th goal for Slovakia in the league phase.

Career statistics Club

International

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

Honours Slovan Bratislava Slovak Cup: 2019–20, 2020–21

Individual Peter Dubovský Award: 2020 Slovak Super Liga Team of the Season: 2020–21 Slovak Super Liga U-21 Team of the Season: 2020–21