David Rozehnal

Template:Short description Template:Expand Czech Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography David Rozehnal (born 5 July 1980) is a Czech former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. He played for a host of European clubs, making over 400 appearances in a career spanning almost two decades, and retired from the professional game in April 2018. Internationally Rozehnal made 60 appearances for the Czech Republic, appearing in three major tournaments: Euro 2004, the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2008.

Early life

Rozehnal was born in Šternberk and raised in Kožušany. He comes from a sports family, his father was a second-league football player, his mother played competitive handball. His father then trained amateur club Sokol Kožušany, where Rozehnal started with football.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Club career

Club Brugge

In 2003, Rozehnal joined Belgian club Club Brugge. Shortly after joining the club he was part of the side which defeated AC Milan at the San Siro in the UEFA Champions League.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He won the Belgian Cup in his first season with Brugge and the Belgian League in the 2004–05 season.<ref name="jerabek">Template:Cite book</ref>

Paris Saint-Germain

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Rozehnal with Paris Saint-Germain in 2006

Rozehnal signed for Paris Saint-Germain in June 2005.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His form resulted in reported interest from Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and Sevilla.<ref name=to-newc>Template:Cite news</ref> Sources close to the defender confirmed that he would prefer a move to Newcastle.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Newcastle United

On 22 June 2007, Rozehnal's agent confirmed that a "definite agreement" had been reached for the player to join Newcastle United. Rozehnal underwent a medical check on 25 June and Newcastle confirmed the transfer had been completed on 29 June for a fee of £2.9 million, with the player signing a four-year contract.<ref name=to-newc/> He made his league debut against Bolton Wanderers the same year on 11 August.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Lazio

On 31 January 2008, Rozehnal left Newcastle for Lazio on loan until the end of the 2007–08 Serie A despite having only signed in June 2007.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After only playing seven times for Lazio during his loan spell, it remained unclear if they wanted to sign him permanently. On 9 June 2008, Lazio officially announced they had signed Rozehnal on a permanent basis,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with Newcastle recouping the full £2.9 million which they initially paid for the defender.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Later career and retirement

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Rozehnal with Lille in 2014

After only one year in Italy, Rozehnal left Lazio on 29 July 2009 for German club Hamburger SV, signing a contract until 30 June 2012. Due to a poor season with several costly errors by Rozehnal, he was removed from the first team and asked to find a new club.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

On 31 August 2010, Hamburg confirmed that Rozehnal had left for French side Lille on loan, with the German club still paying part of his salary.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made a permanent move to Lille in June 2011, signing a contract until 2014.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Rozehnal retired from professional football on 4 April 2018 and joined Sokol Kožušany alongside his brother, Marek.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his debut for the club the following weekend.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

International career

Rozehnal was part of the Czech Republic national youth football team which won the UEFA U-21 Championships in 2002.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2004, Rozehnal made his debut for the Czech Republic in a 2–2 friendly draw against Italy on 18 February 2004.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He went on to play for his country at Euro 2004,<ref name="jerabek"/> where the team made it to the semi-finals before being knocked out by Greece. He also played in the group stage at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, although his nation did not advance to the knockout stages.<ref name="jerabek"/> Rozehnal played in his third major tournament at Euro 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored his only international goal in his 57th appearance for his country, finding the net in a 3–1 friendly win against Belgium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal life

Rozehnal is married to Petra with two children.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Their first child, Luka, was born on 3 October 2007.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Honours

Club Brugge

• Belgian Pro League: 2004–05<ref name="jerabek"/>
• Belgian Cup: 2003–04<ref name="jerabek"/>
• Belgian Super Cup: 2003, 2004<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Paris Saint-Germain

• Coupe de France: 2005–06

Lazio

• Coppa Italia: 2008–09

Lille

• Coupe de France: 2010–11
• Ligue 1: 2010–11

External links

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