Zambia forward Patson Daka is set to spend several weeks on the sidelines after Hamburger SV confirmed he suffered a torn muscle fibre in his left thigh while on international duty.
Daka sustained the injury during Zambia’s 3-1 defeat by Algeria in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group I qualifier on 25 September and subsequently missed the Chipolopolo’s 2-0 victory over Togo.
Hamburger SV said an MRI scan carried out after Daka returned to Germany confirmed the extent of the injury.
“Detailed MRI scans conducted at the Athleticum at Volkspark have now revealed the precise diagnosis: the Zambian has suffered a torn muscle fibre in his left thigh and will be sidelined for the coming weeks.”
The Bundesliga club added: “Get well soon, Pato!”
The injury comes as Daka begins his first season with Hamburger SV after joining the German side on a one-year contract as a free agent following the end of his five-year spell with former Premier League champions Leicester City.
Daka begins new Bundesliga chapter
The 27-year-old made his name in Austria with Red Bull Salzburg, where he won four successive Bundesliga titles and three Austrian Cups.
Daka also claimed the Austrian Bundesliga Golden Boot after scoring 27 goals during the 2020-21 campaign and was named the division’s Player of the Season.
His prolific form earned him a move to Leicester City in 2021 for a reported €30 million fee, making the transfer a record deal involving a Zambian player at the time.
During his five-year spell at Leicester, Daka scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in 166 appearances across all competitions.
He subsequently moved to Hamburger SV to begin a new chapter in Germany, but will now face a spell on the sidelines as he recovers from the thigh injury.
