Ľubomír Michalík

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Ľubomír Michalík
Personal information
Full name Ľubomír Michalík
Date of birth August 13, 1983 (1983-08-13) (age 24)
Place of birth    Čadca, Czechoslovakia
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current club Leeds United
Number 33
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
2005–2007
2007–2008
2007
2008–		 Senec
Bolton Wanderers
→ Leeds United (loan)
Leeds United		 20 (2)
11 (1)
07 (1)
17 (0)   
National team2
2007– Slovakia 04 (1)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 14:09, 25 May 2008 (UTC).
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 26 May 2008.
* Appearances (Goals)

Ľubomír Michalík (born August 13, 1983) is a Slovakian football player, currently playing for Leeds United. The centre-back has represented his country at international level, having played for Čadca in Slovakia.

Contents

[edit] Bolton Wanderers

Michalik signed for Bolton Wanderers in January 2007 from FC Senec of Slovakia on a three and a half year contract for an undisclosed transfer fee.

[edit] Leeds United

In March 2007, Michalik made a loan switch to Leeds United on a one month loan deal. The defender's performances earned a great deal of credit from the Leeds faithful, particularly due to his match-winning goal on April 7, 2008 in a 2-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle.[1] [2] As a result of his strong performances, then Leeds manager Dennis Wise extended the Slovakian's loan deal until the end of the season, although Bolton recalled Michalik back due to a spate of injuries to their first choice centre-backs. Michalik again impressed and evidently coped with the pressures of Premier League football, heading home against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He had made his debut the day after his recall against Reading F.C. in a 3-1 defeat.

Dennis Wise continued to reiterate his liking for the player, and attempted to re-sign the defender in the January 2008 transfer window. A deal was reported to be closed, believed to be involving a £500,000 fee, when Wise left the manager's post to head for Newcastle United. However, upon the appointment of Gary McAllister as Leeds boss, the Yorkshire side remained insistent on their determination to sign the Slovak. On the final day of the transfer window, a deal was concluded and Michalik signed a three-and-a-half-year deal. Bolton seemed willing to sell having recruited Gary Cahill as a replacement. Michalik made 13 first-team appearances in the 2007-08 season.

'Lubo' has managed to establish himself as one of Leeds' first-choice defenders, often partnering Paul Huntington.

[edit] International career

Michalík's international debut came in the second half of the Slovakia verses United Arab Emirates game. His first international goal came in the same game, in his first start for the Slovak international team. He played his second match against Ireland on March 28.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ LeedsUnited.com (English)
  2. ^ Sportinglife.com (English)
  3. ^ http://www.profutbal.sk/clanok47812.htm (Slovak)

[edit] External links

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Leeds United A.F.C. – current squad

1 Ankergren • 2 Richardson • 3 Huntington • 4 Douglas • 5 Rui Marques • 7 Prutton • 9 Beckford • 10 Constantine • 11 Westlake • 12 Martin • 14 Howson • 16 Johnson • 17 Carole • 18 Bayly • 20 Kandol • 22 Hughes • 23 Weston • 24 Sweeney • 25 Lucas • 26 Parker • 27 Gardner • 28 Delph • 29 Elliott • 31 Ameobi • 33 Michalík • 36 Sorsa • 37 Kilkenny • 39 Elding • TBD Robinson • Manager: McAllister