Juraj Kucka, born 26 February 1987, is a Slovakian seasoned midfielder currently sporting the number 33 jersey for Slovan Bratislava. Standing at a sturdy 6ft 1in (1.86m) and weighing in at 13st 3lb (84kg), Kucka is a formidable presence on the pitch. He has also represented the Slovakia national team, demonstrating his consistent abilities beyond his club commitments.
Kucka's current market value is estimated to be around £425k, according to Transfermarkt. His contract with Slovan Bratislava is set to draw to a close in about 9 months' time, on 30 June 2025.
In January 2009, Kucka embarked on his journey with Sparta Prague in the First League of the Czech Republic. Across three seasons, he made 45 first team appearances and gave respectable performances, scoring 11 goals in league matches. January 2011 saw him transfer to Genoa in Serie A, Italy, for a fee of around £2.9m. He increased his game time substantially at Genoa, making 122 first team appearances and netting 12 goals over six seasons.
August 2015 saw Kucka transfer from Genoa to AC Milan, another Serie A giant, for a fee of around £2.1m. He performed consistently for two seasons, making a total of 59 appearances and scoring 4 goals. His next transfer took a more exotic turn, as he moved to Trabzonspor in the Süper Lig in Turkey in July 2017, for a fee of around £4.3m. His sojourn in Turkey was a short one, however, spanning just a season and a half, during which he made 33 appearances and scored three goals.
Kucka returned to Serie A in Italy in January 2019, this time donning the Parma jersey, costing the Italian club around £4.3m. His form improved remarkably while at Parma, where he scored 17 goals in 72 appearances over three seasons. An opportunity to experience English football came his way in August 2021, when he transferred on loan to Watford in the Championship, making 26 appearances and scoring once.
Post-loan, in June 2022, Kucka returned to Parma where he continued his impressive form, adding a further 17 goals in 72 appearances. His most recent transfer came about in July 2022, when he moved back to his roots, signing for Slovan Bratislava in the First Football League in Slovakia.
His international exploits have been noteworthy as well, including participation in the Euro 2024 for Slovakia, Euro Qualifiers from 2022 to 2024 where he scored two goals, and in various leagues and qualifiers for Slovan Bratislava. His journey continues for the 2024 - 2025 season with physical presence in two first team appearances so far.
