Zdeněk Grygera

Zdeněk Grygera

Personal information
Full name	Zdeněk Grygera
Date of birth	14 May 1980 (1980-05-14)
Place of birth	Přílepy, Czechoslovakia
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Right Back Centre Back
Club information
Current club	Fulham
Number	26
Youth career
1987–1990	TJ Holešov
1990–1997	FK Svit Zlín
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1997–1998	FK Svit Zlín	20	(1)
1998–2000	Petra Drnovice	54	(3)
2000–2003	Sparta Prague	65	(2)
2003–2007	Ajax	78	(8)
2007–2011	Juventus	87	(3)
2011–	Fulham	5	(0)
National team‡
2001–2009	Czech Republic	65	(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:21, 30 November 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13:21, 30 November 2011 (UTC)

Zdeněk Grygera (born 14 May 1980) is a Czech football player who is currently playing for English club Fulham. He is usually a right back or centre back but can play anywhere in defence.

Club career

Grygera (second from left, with Urby Emanuelson, Wesley Sneijder, Maarten Stekelenburg, and John Heitinga) played for Ajax from 2003–2007.

Early career

Grygera began his career at Petra Drnovice before moving to Czech club Sparta Prague. In July 2003, he was signed by Dutch club Ajax for an undisclosed fee, estimated to be around €3.5 million. His first goal came for the club came in September 2004, a 5–0 thrashing away at Den Bosch. He soon became a fan favorite, especially after scoring against bitter rivals Feyenoord in the April Klassieker.

Juventus

On 10 January 2007, it was confirmed by Ajax's technical director, Martin Van Geel, that Grygera would be leaving to Juventus on a Bosman transfer when his contract with Ajax expires in June 2007. He was supposed to transfer after the World Cup but the Calciopoli scandal prevented him from doing so. After four fairly successful seasons in the Dutch capital, Grygera moved to Juventus. He expressed his delight over the possibility of playing with one of his Czech compatriots, Pavel Nedvěd. Due to his versatility, he established himself in the Juve line-up. In March, he scored and set up David Trézéguet's goal in a 2–0 win over Genoa and scored a last-gasp equalizer in Derby d'Italia fixture against Juve's bitter rivals Inter on 18 April 2009.

Fulham

In summer 2011 Grygera still had one year left to run on his contract at Juventus but it was rescinded by mutual consent on 30 August 2011 and the following day he joined Fulham. Grygera received the number 26 jersey. Grygera made his debut for Fulham on 15 September 2011 in the Europa League against FC Twente. Grygera is ruled out for six months with knee ligament damage. Grygera suffered an ACL rupture during the match against Tottenham on Sunday, November 6.

International career

A former Czechoslovak youth international, Grygera played for the Czech Republic at Euro 2004, World Cup in Germany and the Euro 2008. At the World Cup in 2006, Grygera's run and cross set up the opening goal for Jan Koller in the Czech's first game against the USA which they won 3-0. He was a regular during 2010 World Cup qualifying, playing in 6 of the 10 qualifers but was not able to help the Czechs qualify for a second consecutive World Cup. As of October 2011, he has not represented his country since October 2009.

External links

• Zdeněk Grygera career stats at Soccerbase
• Zdeněk Grygera international stats at the Czech Football Association website (Czech)