Peter Pekarik (born 30 October 1986) is a Slovak professional footballer who plays as a right-back for 2. Bundesliga club Hertha BSC and the Slovakia national team.
Born in Zilina, Pekarik playing football at the youth section of his local club. His Corgon Liga debut came for ZTS Dubnica. In his first season, he played 27 matches and came back to MSK Zilina in summer 2005. Pekarik won the Corgon Liga in the 2006–07 season, playing 35 matches.
Following great performances in the 2008–09 Slovak Superliga, Pekarik and signed a four-and-a-half-year contract for Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg in January 2009. On 31 January 2009, he made his Bundesliga debut during a 1–1 draw against 1. FC Koln, only to be replaced by Cristian Zaccardo at half-time. Except for one game, Pekarik played in all matches of the second half as Wolfsburg won its first Bundesliga title.
In August 2011, Pekarik joined Turkish Super Lig club Kayserispor for the 2011–12 season on loan.
After a loan in Turkey, Pekarik returned to Germany, signing for Hertha BSC. On 31 March 2017, in his eighth season in Germany, he scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 3–1 loss against 1899 Hoffenheim which was his 151st Bundesliga match.
Pekarik made his Slovakia national team debut against United Arab Emirates on 10 December 2006. He scored his first international goal in a 7–0 home victory over San Marino.
Pekarik was included the Slovakia squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2016, and UEFA Euro 2020.
On 1 June 2021, he played his 100th match for Slovakia in a friendly 1–1 draw against Bulgaria. |
