Martin Latka Explained

Martin Latka
Fullname:Martin Latka
Birth Date:1984 9, df=yes
Birth Place:Hluboká nad Vltavou, Czechoslovakia
Height:1.93 m
Position:Defender
Youthyears1:1990–1992
Youthclubs1:Tatran Hluboká nad Vltavou
Youthyears2:1992–2002
Youthclubs2:Dynamo České Budějovice
Years1:2002–2003
Clubs1:Dynamo České Budějovice
Caps1:2
Goals1:3
Years2:2003–2008
Clubs2:Slavia Prague
Caps2:102
Goals2:8
Years3:2006
Clubs3:Birmingham City (loan)
Caps3:6
Goals3:0
Years4:2009–2011
Clubs4:Panionios
Caps4:45
Goals4:3
Years5:2011–2013
Clubs5:Slavia Prague
Caps5:33
Goals5:4
Years6:2013–2014
Clubs6:Fortuna Düsseldorf
Caps6:30
Goals6:2
Years7:2014–2016
Clubs7:Slavia Prague
Caps7:32
Goals7:2
Years8:2016–2017
Clubs8:Slovan Liberec
Caps8:10
Goals8:0
Nationalyears1:2004–2007
Nationalteam1:Czech Republic U21
Nationalcaps1:25
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2012
Nationalteam2:Czech Republic
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0

Martin Latka (born 28 September 1984) is a Czech former professional footballer who played as a central defender. During the course of his career, Latka played nine seasons for Slavia Prague. His other clubs included Dynamo České Budějovice and Slovan Liberec domestically, as well as English side Birmingham City, Greek club Panionios, and German club Fortuna Düsseldorf. Latka appeared once for the Czech Republic.

Club career

Latka began his career with SK Dynamo České Budějovice, joining Slavia Prague in 2003. In 2005, he won the Talent of the Year award at the Czech Footballer of the Year awards.[1] On 30 January 2006, he joined Birmingham City on loan until the end of the 2006–07 season, having spent time trialling with Middlesbrough.[2] He made his debut for Birmingham City in a 1–1 draw against Liverpool at the start of February.[3] He played six full games. However, in that season Birmingham were relegated and Latka returned to Slavia.

In January 2009, Latka joined Panionios. In 2011, he returned to Slavia Prague.[4]

In January 2013, Latka was transferred to Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf, signing a one-and-a-half-year contract with the German club.[5] After one-year-and-a-half at Fortuna Düsseldorf, his contract was not extended in May 2014 and he returned to SK Slavia Prague, but started just 13 matches in the 2015–16 season before leaving in summer 2016.[4] In August 2016 Latka signed a one-year contract with Slovan Liberec.[6] Latka announced his retirement from professional football in January 2018.[7]

International career

Although Latka won the Czech Talent of the Year award in 2005 and was a regular in Czech U21 setup, he was not called up to the senior national team until his debut against Slovakia on 14 November 2012.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Historie ankety Fotbalista roku. . 18 January 2013. cs.
  2. Web site: Birmingham win race for Latka. The Guardian. 30 January 2006 . 25 July 2024.
  3. Web site: Latka earns plaudits for display. Birmingham Mail. 2 February 2006 . 25 July 2024.
  4. Web site: Kapitán fotbalové Slavie Latka končí v Edenu. S klubem se domluvil na ukončení smlouvy. Czech Radio. 11 July 2016 . 25 July 2024. cs.
  5. Web site: Fortuna Düsseldorf . Fortuna verstärkt sich mit Martin Latka. 17 January 2013 . de.
  6. Web site: Srdcař Slavie Latka míří do Liberce. Podepsal tam roční smlouvu. Lidové noviny. 15 August 2016 . 25 July 2024. cs.
  7. Web site: Latka ukončil kariéru, s parťákem Kiselem zastupují hráče! Upsal se jim slávista Zmrhal. sport.cz . 30 January 2018 . 25 July 2024. cs.
  8. News: Miloslav. Novák. Česko 3-0 Slovensko, povedený večer osladil Lafata i debutant Dočkal. Czech Republic 3-0 Slovakia, a successful evening was sweetened by Lafat and debutant Dočkal. Mladá fronta Dnes. Mafra. 14 November 2012. cs.