Adam Karabec

Adam Karabec came through Bohemians 1905 before Sparta Prague pulled him into their academy in 2016, and he broke into Sparta's senior squad during the 2019–20 season wearing number 36. The left-footed midfielder was named Czech Talent of the Year in 2021 and made The Guardian's "Next Generation" list in 2020, having already been named Player of the Tournament at the CEE Cup Under-19s in 2019. With Sparta he won back-to-back Czech First League titles in 2022–23 and 2023–24, adding the Czech Cup in the latter season.

At Under-21 level, Karabec became the first Czech player to appear at three European Championships, in 2021, 2023 and 2025. He set up a goal against Italy in a 1-1 draw in 2021, faced England, Germany and Israel in 2023, and returned in 2025 to play against England, Germany and Slovenia, providing the assist for the second goal in a 2-0 win over Slovenia.

His move abroad came in 2024, when Sparta sent him on loan to Hamburger SV for the season, with an option to buy that the German club ultimately chose not to take up. He then joined Olympique Lyonnais on a season-long loan in August 2025, taking the number 7 shirt. The deal included an option to buy along with performance bonuses, and left Sparta Prague with a sell-on clause. Lyon did not exercise the option, and Karabec returned to Sparta Prague.