Czech midfielder Pavel Bucha has quietly built one of the more intriguing careers in MLS.
From winning a Czech First League title to featuring in the UEFA Champions League against Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Bucha now brings that pedigree to FC Cincinnati — and his bank account reflects it.
Pavel Bucha’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pavel Bucha |
| Date of Birth | March 11, 1998 |
| Age | 28 |
| Place of Birth | Mělník, Czech Republic |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Position | Central Midfielder |
| Current Club | FC Cincinnati (MLS) |
| Jersey Number | 20 |
| Turned Professional | 2018 |
| Net Worth | ~$1.5 Million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary | ~$474,996 |
| Agent | SPORT INVEST |
Early Life and Career
Pavel Bucha was born on March 11, 1998, in Mělník, a town situated just north of Prague near the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava rivers.
Growing up close to the Czech capital gave him early access to quality football infrastructure, and he wasted no time making use of it.
His youth journey started at FK Čechie Kralupy, a local side in his home region, before he moved to FK Neratovice.
The real turning point came when he earned a place in the academy of SK Slavia Prague — one of the two biggest clubs in the country — at around the age of nine.
He would spend a full decade developing within Slavia’s system, progressing through their youth ranks from 2007 to 2017.
Bucha also represented Czech Republic at multiple youth international levels. He earned caps for the Czech Republic U19 in 2016, the U20 side in 2018, and went on to become a key figure for the Czech U21 team from 2019 to 2021, collecting 14 caps at that level.
His brother, Lukas Bucha, also plays professional football, turning out for FK Kralupy 1901 — a connection that underlines the football culture embedded in the Bucha family.
Professional Career
Pavel Bucha made his senior professional debut on February 17, 2018, appearing for SK Slavia Prague in a Czech First League fixture.
He made five first-team appearances for the club before a contractual dispute led to a decisive career move.
When Slavia sent him back to the junior squad and refused to extend his deal, Bucha terminated his contract on the grounds of a breach by the club, and promptly signed a four-year deal with rivals FC Viktoria Plzeň in July 2018.
At Plzeň, his career accelerated significantly. He spent a loan spell at FK Mladá Boleslav during 2018–19 and 2019–20, contributing eight goals and seven assists — numbers that signalled he was more than a holding midfielder.
Back at Plzeň, he became a consistent starter and won the 2021/22 Czech First League title alongside his teammates.
The following season brought European football. Bucha appeared in all six UEFA Conference League group stage matches as Plzeň went unbeaten with a perfect 18 points.
He then featured in five UEFA Champions League group stage matches in 2022/23, with Plzeň drawn in Group C against Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan — elite opposition that tested his quality at the highest club level.
In total, he made 33 UEFA competition appearances for Plzeň, scoring three goals and adding three assists, while registering 27 goals and 21 assists across 163 total appearances for the Bohemian club.
On February 7, 2024, FC Cincinnati acquired Bucha from Viktoria Plzeň via transfer, bringing a 200-plus appearance veteran with European pedigree into the MLS.
He quickly became a starter in Cincinnati’s midfield and had an excellent 2025 season, setting career highs in assists for a single MLS campaign while starting 16 consecutive league fixtures.
Pavel Bucha’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Pavel Bucha’s has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.
He built this wealth primarily through his professional football contracts in the Czech First League and, most recently, in Major League Soccer with FC Cincinnati.
Contract
Bucha signed his current deal with FC Cincinnati on February 7, 2024, committing him to the club through December 31, 2026.
The contract includes a club option for an additional year in 2027, giving Cincinnati the right to retain him beyond the initial term. According to Spotrac, this is a three-year agreement — a strong vote of confidence from the Eastern Conference club.
The club option reflects Cincinnati’s interest in keeping Bucha as a long-term midfield piece, particularly given his consistent performances since arriving from Europe.
Salary
For the 2026 MLS season, Capology estimates Bucha’s base salary at approximately $474,996, which works out to around $9,135 per week before any performance bonuses.
This places him in the upper-mid tier of MLS midfielders — well above the league’s basic salary threshold but short of the designated player bracket that defines the league’s highest earners.
His salary at Viktoria Plzeň is not fully documented in public records, though Czech First League wages for a first-choice starter at a top club typically fall in the range of $150,000–$300,000 per year. His MLS deal marks a clear step up in earnings.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Competition | Estimated Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | SK Slavia Prague | Czech First League | ~$80,000 |
| 2018–19 | FC Viktoria Plzeň / FK Mladá Boleslav (loan) | Czech First League | ~$150,000 |
| 2019–20 | FC Viktoria Plzeň | Czech First League | ~$180,000 |
| 2020–21 | FC Viktoria Plzeň | Czech First League | ~$200,000 |
| 2021–22 | FC Viktoria Plzeň | Czech First League | ~$230,000 |
| 2022–23 | FC Viktoria Plzeň | Czech First League + UCL | ~$300,000 |
| 2023–24 | FC Viktoria Plzeň / FC Cincinnati | Czech FL + MLS | ~$400,000 |
| 2024–25 | FC Cincinnati | MLS | ~$460,000 |
| 2025–26 | FC Cincinnati | MLS | ~$474,996 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | SK Slavia Prague | Czech First League | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018–23 | FC Viktoria Plzeň | Czech First League | 163 | 27 | 21 |
| 2018–20 | FK Mladá Boleslav (loan) | Czech First League | ~30 | 8 | 7 |
| 2022–23 | FC Viktoria Plzeň | UEFA Champions League | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023–24 | FC Viktoria Plzeň | UEFA Conference League | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | FC Cincinnati | MLS | 26 | 4 | 2 |
| 2025 | FC Cincinnati | MLS | 37 | 3 | 3 |
| 2026 | FC Cincinnati | MLS | Active | 2 | 4 |
FAQs
What is Pavel Bucha’s net worth?
Pavel Bucha’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1.5 million. He accumulated this through professional contracts in the Czech First League, European competition bonuses, and his ongoing MLS deal with FC Cincinnati.
How much does Pavel Bucha earn at FC Cincinnati?
His estimated base salary at FC Cincinnati for the 2026 MLS season is approximately $474,996, or around $9,135 per week, according to Capology’s publicly available salary data.
What trophies has Pavel Bucha won?
Bucha won the Czech First League title with FC Viktoria Plzeň in the 2021/22 season and the Czech Cup with SK Slavia Prague in the 2017/18 season — two major domestic honours in his career to date.
Has Pavel Bucha played in the UEFA Champions League?
Yes, he made five UEFA Champions League group stage appearances for Viktoria Plzeň in 2022/23, with the club drawn in Group C alongside Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan.
When does Pavel Bucha’s FC Cincinnati contract expire?
His current contract with FC Cincinnati runs through December 31, 2026. The club holds an option to extend the deal by one additional year into 2027.
