Daka reveals: this England legend was his mentor! | OneFootball

Patson Daka joined HSV around a week and a half ago. Before that, he was active at Leicester City, where he learned from a universally renowned goalscorer.

After arriving from Salzburg in the summer of 2021 for a transfer fee of around €30 million, Daka found himself alongside Jamie Vardy. The striker spoke only in glowing terms about the Leicester legend—who played a key role in the club’s sensational 2016 title win and made a total of 500 competitive appearances for the Foxes (via Bild): “Jamie was simply unbelievably important for me. He took me under his wing as soon as I arrived. Fully aware that he and I are the same type of player and compete for the same position in the team.”

Vardy had taken “a lot of pressure off my shoulders,” Daka said. Reflecting further on their four-year partnership, the Zambian added: “Jamie treated me like a younger son. I’m infinitely grateful to him. There’s only one like him. A true role model.” Vardy, who is currently without a club, left in the summer of 2025 after Leicester’s second Premier League relegation in three years.

Photo: Getty Images

Daka already knows Everton

Daka, meanwhile, returned to the Championship and endured a season to forget. Leicester were docked six points along the way for breaches of financial regulations and ultimately went down to the third tier as second from bottom. Daka was also unable to prevent relegation with a meagre five goals for the season and was not offered a new contract.

Despite Vardy’s great support, his time in the East Midlands was far from satisfying. After just under three weeks without a club, the 27-year-old surprisingly ended up at HSV and made a brilliant debut. In the friendly against Heidenheim (3-1), Daka needed just 20 minutes to help create two goals and then score the final one himself.

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A tougher challenge awaits today, Saturday, when Everton come to the Volksparkstadion for the season opener. Daka faced the Toffees five times in the Premier League, managing just one win and scoring one goal. He will be looking to improve that personal record as he continues to establish himself at HSV.

Photo: Getty Images

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.