Kacper Łopata

Polish footballer

Kacper Łopata
Personal information
Full name Kacper Mieczysław Łopata[1]
Date of birth (2001-08-27) 27 August 2001 (age 22)[2]
Place of birth Kraków, Poland[2]
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Barnsley
Number 4
Youth career
 2012–2013 St Vallier City
 2013–201? Southampton
201?–2016 Bristol City
2016–2017 Yeovil Town
2018 Bristol City
2018 Brighton & Hove Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2020 Brighton & Hove Albion 0 (0)
2019–2020 → Whitehawk (loan) 15 (3)
2020 → Zagłębie Sosnowiec (loan) 7 (0)
2020–2022 Sheffield United 0 (0)
2021–2022 → Southend United (loan) 17 (0)
2022–2023 Southend United 22 (1)
2023 Woking 4 (0)
2023– Barnsley 13 (0)
2024 → Port Vale (loan) 6 (0)
International career
2019 Poland U18 1 (0)
2019 Poland U19 2 (0)
2021–2022 Poland U20 6 (0)
2022 Poland U21 1 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:24, 17 April 2024 (UTC)

Kacper Mieczysław Łopata (Polish pronunciation: [ˈkat͡spɛr mʲɛˈt͡ʂɨswaf wɔˈpata]; born 27 August 2001) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL League One club Barnsley.

Łopata moved from Poland to England at the age of nine and spent his junior years with a variety of football clubs before he made his senior debut in non-League football at Whitehawk, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in the 2019–20 season. He was later loaned out to Polish I liga side Zagłębie Sosnowiec, though he was released from Brighton and ended up signing for Sheffield United. He joined Southend United on loan in October 2021, and joined the club permanently in September 2022. He left Southend amidst a wage dispute in March 2023 and ended the 2022–23 season with Woking. He signed with Barnsley in June 2023 and was loaned to Port Vale for the second half of the 2023–24 campaign.

Early life

Kacper Mieczysław Łopata was born in Kraków on 27 August 2001.[2] He grew up in Szczecin before he moved to Bristol with his mother at the age of nine.[3][4] He attended South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS), where the head of football Dave Hockaday became his sporting mentor, helping to steer him towards playing football rather than handball.[5] He played for the junior teams of St Vallier City, Southampton, Bristol City, Yeovil Town and Brighton & Hove Albion.[6]

Club career

Brighton Hove & Albion

In October 2018, Łopata signed a two-year contract with Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, choosing them ahead of Bristol City.[3] He helped to mark Mason Greenwood out of a game against Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup, with the assistance of teammate Haydon Roberts.[7] In August 2019, he joined Whitehawk on loan.[8] He scored within four minutes of his debut against VCD Athletic, though also gave away a penalty kick and was booked for swearing at the referee.[7] He went on to make 19 appearances in all competitions for the Isthmian League South East Division side, scoring five goals and impressing manager Jude McDonald with his attitude.[9][7] In January 2020, following a meeting with manager Dariusz Dudek, Łopata joined Polish I liga side Zagłębie Sosnowiec on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[10][11] On 29 February, he made his professional debut in a 2–0 win over Miedź Legnica.[12] He was released by Brighton at the end of the 2019–20 season.[13]

Sheffield United

On 25 August 2020, Łopata joined Sheffield United on a three-year contract, where manager Chris Wilder got him to train with the first-team rather than the Academy.[14][15][16] On 10 August 2021, Slavisa Jokanovic handed him his debut at Bramall Lane and he went on to play the full match in a 1–0 win over Carlisle United in the EFL Cup.[17] On 28 October, he was loaned to National League side Southend United, initially until January 2022, along with fellow Sheffield United player Zak Brunt.[18][19] He featured 18 times, keeping four clean sheets, helping Kevin Maher's side to go on a 14-game unbeaten league run.[20] Faced with injuries, the Blades recalled Łopata on 12 March 2022.[21] Sheffield United rejected a transfer bid from a Polish club but allowed him a permanent transfer to Southend to find first-team football as manager Paul Heckingbottom said "it became clear he didn’t want to be here anymore".[22]

Southend United

On 2 September 2022, Łopata joined Southend United permanently for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year deal with an option for another year.[20] He made an immediate impact at Roots Hall as Southend went nine league games unbeaten, keeping seven clean sheets. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win at Barnet.[23] In March 2023, he terminated his contract with the club, apparently unhappy at how players had been treated over unpaid wages,[24] a decision supported by the The Football Association's Contract Disputes Tribunal.[25]

Woking

On 27 March 2023, Łopata joined Woking on a contract until the end of the 2022–23 season.[26] Following five appearances for Darren Sarll's Cardinals, including a National League play-off quarter-final defeat to Bromley at the Kingfield Stadium, Łopata announced he would be leaving the club at the end of his contract in June via his Instagram account.[27][28]

Barnsley

On 6 June 2023, Łopata signed a four-year contract with League One club Barnsley.[29] He made his debut at Oakwell in a 7–0 win over Port Vale on 5 August.[30] Bobby Hassell, the club's interim director of football, noted that he "started the season in brilliant form and integrated smoothly into the squad".[31] However, a clavicle fracture saw him lose his place in Neill Collins's team and he found stiff competition for defensive places upon his return to fitness.[32]

Port Vale (loan)

On 1 February 2024, Łopata joined Port Vale on loan for the remainder of the 2023–24 season.[33] Manager Andy Crosby and director of football David Flitcroft said that he would strengthen the club's defensive options.[34] He made his debut at Vale Park in a 1–0 defeat to Leyton Orient on 6 February, earning praise from interim manager Will Ryder for his performance.[35]

International career

Łopata has represented Poland at under-18, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels.[36]

Style of play

Łopata is a "no-nonsense" centre-back who focuses on organised defending.[37] He describes himself as a "student of the game" who analyses training and match performances in his free time.[38]

Career statistics

As of match played 16 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brighton & Hove Albion 2019–20[39] Premier League 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0
Whitehawk (loan) 2019–20[9] Isthmian League
South East Division 		15 3 1 0 — 3[a] 2 19 5
Zagłębie Sosnowiec (loan) 2019–20[2] I liga 7 0 0 0 — — 7 0
Sheffield United 2020–21[40] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2021–22[41] Championship 0 0 0 0 2 0 — 2 0
Total 0 0 0 0 2 0 — 2 0
Southend United (loan) 2021–22[2] National League 17 0 1 0 — 0 0 18 0
Southend United 2022–23[2] National League 22 1 1 0 — 3[a] 0 26 1
Total 39 1 2 0 0 0 3 0 44 1
Woking 2022–23[2] National League 4 0 — — 1[b] 0 5 0
Barnsley 2023–24[42] League One 13 0 0 0 1 0 1[c] 0 15 0
Port Vale (loan) 2023–24[42] League One 6 0 — — — 6 0
Career total 84 4 3 0 3 0 8 2 98 6
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in National League play-offs
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

References

  1. ^ "Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 released lists". Premier League. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Kacper Łopata at Soccerway. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Kacper Łopata zawodnikiem Brighton & Hove Albion". Skauci UK (in Polish). 24 October 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  4. ^ MacGregor, Gregor (19 February 2019). "Exclusive: How City lost out on signing local centre-back to Brighton". Bristol Live. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  5. ^ Wobschall, Leon (9 June 2023). "New Barnsley FC signing Kacper Lopata on former Leeds United manager as a mentor, his football journey via Sheffield United and why he will never have a 'big time' attitude". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Z Fortuna 1 Ligi do Premier League. Młody Polak wrócił do Anglii". www.polsatsport.pl (in Polish). 26 August 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Sutcliffe, Richard (11 November 2021). "Kacper Lopata: An exciting future ahead for the natural leader who outplayed Mason Greenwood". The Athletic. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  8. ^ Stenning, Adam (9 October 2019). "Albion loanees are enjoying mixed fortunes". The Argus. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Whitehawk – Appearances – Kacper Lopata – 2019-2020". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Kacper Łopata wypożyczony z Brighton do Zagłębia Sosnowiec". Skauci UK (in Polish). 31 January 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  11. ^ Legg, Mike (31 January 2020). "Albion prospect heads to Poland on loan". The Argus. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  12. ^ "MIEDŹ LEGNICA VS. ZAGŁĘBIE SOSNOWIEC 0 - 2". uk.soccerway.com. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 released lists". Premier League. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  14. ^ @KasperLopata (25 August 2020). "Very proud to sign a 3 year deal at such a prestigious club @SheffieldUnited ⚔️ Can't wait to get started 🔴⚪️⚫️…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ^ Rykaczewski, Kamil (25 August 2020). "Oficjalnie: Kacper Łopata w Sheffield United". PiłkarskiSwiat.com (in Polish). Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  16. ^ Klauza, Szymon (29 March 2021). "Kacper Łopata: „Staram się zawsze pracować najmądrzej i najciężej ze wszystkich, bo wiem, jak ciężkie jest życie"". Angielskie Espresso (in Polish). Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Sheffield United 1-0 Carlisle United". BBC Sport. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Kacper Łopata wypożyczony do Southend United". www.90minut.pl. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Two Sign on Loan From Sheffield United". southend united fc. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Kacper Łopata Completes Permanent Transfer!". southend united fc. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  21. ^ "Lopata Recalled by Sheffield United". southend united fc. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  22. ^ Hall, Danny (7 June 2023). "Kacper Lopata opens up on Sheffield United exit after making Barnsley transfer switch". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  23. ^ Phillips, Chris (6 November 2022). "How Blues defender Lopata earned England call up, but not for football!". Echo. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  24. ^ Phillips, Chris (5 March 2023). "Southend United's off field issues are tarnishing". Echo. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  25. ^ "Statement: Kacper Lopata". southend united fc. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  26. ^ O'Sullivan, Daniel (27 March 2023). "Kacper Łopata Signs". Woking Football Club. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  27. ^ "Kasper Lopata (@kasperlopata)". Instagram. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  28. ^ O'Sullivan, Daniel (15 May 2023). "2022/23 Retained and Released List". Woking F.C. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  29. ^ "Barnsley sign defender Lopata on four-year deal". BBC Sport. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  30. ^ "Debiut Kacpra Łopaty w Barnsley FC". 90minut.pl. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Kacper Lopata Departs on Loan". barnsleyfc.co.uk. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  32. ^ O'Kane, Doug (1 February 2024). "Lopata loaned out". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Port Vale sign Mighten & Lopata on loan". BBC Sport. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  34. ^ "Kacper Lopata is a Valiant". port-vale.co.uk. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  35. ^ Baggaley, Mike (7 February 2024). "Vale sent into relegation zone by defeat to Leyton Orient". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  36. ^ Kacper Łopata at WorldFootball.net
  37. ^ "Kacper Łopata on Becoming a Red". www.barnsleyfc.co.uk. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  38. ^ "Kacper Łopata Ahead of Cheltenham Clash". www.barnsleyfc.co.uk. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  39. ^ "Games played by Kacper Łopata in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  40. ^ "Games played by Kacper Łopata in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  41. ^ "Games played by Kacper Łopata in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  42. ^ a b "Games played by Kacper Łopata in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
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