Kacper Łopata Explained

Kacper Łopata
Fullname:Kacper Mieczysław Łopata[1]
Birth Date:27 August 2001
Birth Place:Kraków, Poland
Height:1.92 m
Currentclub:Barnsley
Clubnumber:35
Position:Centre-back
Youthyears1:2012–2013
Youthclubs1:St Vallier City
Youthyears2:2013–201?
Youthclubs2:Southampton
Youthyears3:201?–2016
Youthclubs3:Bristol City
Youthyears4:2016–2017
Youthclubs4:Yeovil Town
Youthyears5:2018
Youthclubs5:Bristol City
Youthyears6:2018
Youthclubs6:Brighton & Hove Albion
Years1:2018–2020
Clubs1:Brighton & Hove Albion
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2019–2020
Clubs2:Whitehawk (loan)
Caps2:15
Goals2:3
Years3:2020
Clubs3:Zagłębie Sosnowiec (loan)
Caps3:7
Goals3:0
Years4:2020–2022
Clubs4:Sheffield United
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Years5:2021–2022
Clubs5:Southend United (loan)
Caps5:17
Goals5:0
Years6:2022–2023
Clubs6:Southend United
Caps6:22
Goals6:1
Years7:2023
Clubs7:Woking
Caps7:4
Goals7:0
Years8:2023–
Clubs8:Barnsley
Caps8:13
Goals8:0
Years9:2024
Clubs9:Port Vale (loan)
Caps9:6
Goals9:0
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:Poland U18
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2019
Nationalteam2:Poland U19
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2021–2022
Nationalteam3:Poland U20
Nationalcaps3:6
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2022
Nationalteam4:Poland U21
Nationalcaps4:1
Nationalgoals4:1
Club-Update:00:24, 17 April 2024 (UTC)

Kacper Mieczysław Łopata (pronounced as /pl/; born 27 August 2001) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for 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. He grew up in Szczecin before he moved to Bristol with his mother at the age of nine.[2] [3] 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.[4] He played for the junior teams of St Vallier City, Southampton, Bristol City, Yeovil Town and Brighton & Hove Albion.[5]

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.[2] 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. In August 2019, he joined Whitehawk on loan.[6] 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. 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.[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.[8] [9] On 29 February, he made his professional debut in a 2–0 win over Miedź Legnica.[10] He was released by Brighton at the end of the 2019–20 season.[11]

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.[12] [13] [14] 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.[15] On 28 October, he was loaned to National League side Southend United, initially until January 2022, along with fellow Sheffield United player Zak Brunt.[16] [17] He featured 18 times, keeping four clean sheets, helping Kevin Maher's side to go on a 14-game unbeaten league run. Faced with injuries, the Blades recalled Łopata on 12 March 2022.[18] 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".[19]

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.[21] In March 2023, he terminated his contract with the club, apparently unhappy at how players had been treated over unpaid wages,[22] a decision supported by The Football Association's Contract Disputes Tribunal.[23]

Woking

On 27 March 2023, Łopata joined Woking on a contract until the end of the 2022–23 season.[24] 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.[25] [26]

Barnsley

On 6 June 2023, Łopata signed a four-year contract with League One club Barnsley.[27] He made his debut at Oakwell in a 7–0 win over Port Vale on 5 August.[28] Bobby Hassell, the club's interim director of football, noted that he "started the season in brilliant form and integrated smoothly into the squad".[29] 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.[30]

Port Vale (loan)

On 1 February 2024, Łopata joined Port Vale on loan for the remainder of the 2023–24 season.[31] Manager Andy Crosby and director of football David Flitcroft said that he would strengthen the club's defensive options.[32] 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.[33] However, he could not gain a first-team place under new manager Darren Moore.[34]

International career

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

Style of play

Łopata is a "no-nonsense" centre-back who focuses on organised defending.[35] He describes himself as a "student of the game" who analyses training and match performances in his free time.[36]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Brighton & Hove Albion2019–20Premier League000000
Whitehawk (loan)2019–20[37] Isthmian League
South East Division
153103[38] 2195
Zagłębie Sosnowiec (loan)2019–20I liga700070
Sheffield United2020–21Premier League00000000
2021–22Championship00002020
Total00002020
Southend United (loan)2021–22National League1701000180
Southend United2022–23National League2211030261
Total391200030441
Woking2022–23National League401050
Barnsley2023–24League One13000101[39] 0150
2024–25League One0000000000
Total130001010150
Port Vale (loan)2023–24League One6060
Career total844303082986

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 released lists. 26 June 2020. Premier League. 22 August 2020.
  2. News: Kacper Łopata zawodnikiem Brighton & Hove Albion . 5 February 2024 . Skauci UK . 24 October 2018 . pl-PL.
  3. News: MacGregor . Gregor . Exclusive: How City lost out on signing local centre-back to Brighton . 2 February 2024 . Bristol Live . 19 February 2019 . en.
  4. News: Wobschall . Leon . 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 . 2 February 2024 . The Yorkshire Post . 9 June 2023.
  5. News: Z Fortuna 1 Ligi do Premier League. Młody Polak wrócił do Anglii . 5 February 2024 . www.polsatsport.pl . 26 August 2020 . pl.
  6. News: Stenning . Adam . Albion loanees are enjoying mixed fortunes . 2 February 2024 . The Argus . 9 October 2019 . en.
  7. News: Sutcliffe . Richard . Kacper Lopata: An exciting future ahead for the natural leader who outplayed Mason Greenwood . 5 February 2024 . The Athletic . 11 November 2021 . en.
  8. News: Kacper Łopata wypożyczony z Brighton do Zagłębia Sosnowiec . 5 February 2024 . Skauci UK . 31 January 2020 . pl-PL.
  9. News: Legg . Mike . Albion prospect heads to Poland on loan . 2 February 2024 . The Argus . 31 January 2020 . en.
  10. Web site: MIEDŹ LEGNICA VS. ZAGŁĘBIE SOSNOWIEC 0 - 2. uk.soccerway.com. 29 February 2020. 28 July 2020.
  11. Web site: Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 released lists. Premier League. 26 June 2020. 28 July 2020.
  12. 1298340563553591296. KasperLopata. Very proud to sign a 3 year deal at such a prestigious club @SheffieldUnited ⚔️ Can't wait to get started ⚪️⚫️... . 25 August 2020.
  13. News: Rykaczewski . Kamil . Oficjalnie: Kacper Łopata w Sheffield United . 2 February 2024 . PiłkarskiSwiat.com . 25 August 2020 . pl-PL.
  14. News: Klauza . Szymon . Kacper Łopata: "Staram się zawsze pracować najmądrzej i najciężej ze wszystkich, bo wiem, jak ciężkie jest życie" . 5 February 2024 . Angielskie Espresso . 29 March 2021 . pl-PL.
  15. News: Sheffield United 1-0 Carlisle United . 2 February 2024 . BBC Sport . 10 August 2021.
  16. News: Kacper Łopata wypożyczony do Southend United . 2 February 2024 . www.90minut.pl . 28 January 2021.
  17. News: Two Sign on Loan From Sheffield United . 2 February 2024 . southend united fc . 28 October 2021 . en.
  18. News: Lopata Recalled by Sheffield United . 2 February 2024 . southend united fc . 12 March 2022 . en.
  19. News: Hall . Danny . Kacper Lopata opens up on Sheffield United exit after making Barnsley transfer switch . 5 February 2024 . Sheffield Star . 7 June 2023.
  20. News: Kacper Łopata Completes Permanent Transfer! . 2 February 2024 . southend united fc . 2 September 2022 . en.
  21. News: Phillips . Chris . How Blues defender Lopata earned England call up, but not for football! . 5 February 2024 . Echo . 6 November 2022 . en.
  22. News: Phillips . Chris . Southend United's off field issues are tarnishing . 6 March 2023 . Echo . 5 March 2023.
  23. News: Statement: Kacper Lopata . 2 February 2024 . southend united fc . 21 March 2023 . en.
  24. News: O'Sullivan . Daniel . Kacper Łopata Signs . 2 February 2024 . Woking Football Club . 27 March 2023.
  25. News: Kasper Lopata (@kasperlopata) . Instagram . 6 May 2023 . 8 May 2023.
  26. News: 2022/23 Retained and Released List . . Daniel . O'Sullivan . 15 May 2023 . 15 May 2023.
  27. News: Barnsley sign defender Lopata on four-year deal . 2 February 2024 . BBC Sport . 6 June 2023.
  28. News: Debiut Kacpra Łopaty w Barnsley FC . 5 February 2024 . 90minut.pl . 5 August 2023.
  29. News: Kacper Lopata Departs on Loan . 5 February 2024 . barnsleyfc.co.uk . 1 February 2024 . en-gb.
  30. News: O'Kane . Doug . Lopata loaned out . 5 February 2024 . Barnsley Chronicle . 1 February 2024 . en.
  31. News: Port Vale sign Mighten & Lopata on loan . 5 February 2024 . BBC Sport . 1 February 2024.
  32. News: Kacper Lopata is a Valiant . 5 February 2024 . port-vale.co.uk . 1 February 2024 . en-gb.
  33. News: Baggaley . Mike . Vale sent into relegation zone by defeat to Leyton Orient . 7 February 2024 . Valiant's Substack . 7 February 2024.
  34. News: Baggaley . Mike . Rating the squad, the retained list and looking ahead . 29 April 2024 . Valiant's Substack . 29 April 2024.
  35. News: Kacper Łopata on Becoming a Red . 5 February 2024 . www.barnsleyfc.co.uk . 7 June 2023 . en-gb.
  36. News: Kacper Łopata Ahead of Cheltenham Clash . 5 February 2024 . www.barnsleyfc.co.uk . 1 September 2023 . en-gb.
  37. News: Whitehawk – Appearances – Kacper Lopata – 2019-2020 . Football Web Pages . 11 April 2023.
  38. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  39. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy