Tomáš Repka Profile

Repka began his professional career as a 17 year-old with the Czech club Baník Ostrava in 1991 and quickly established himself as a tough-tackling and aggressive defender. His form with Banícek would lead to a move to Sparta Prague in 1995 and he would win two Czech First League titles at the Stadion Letná.

Repka's success with Sparta Prague earned him a move to Fiorentina in Italy's Serie A in 1998. He played three seasons in Florence before moving to the English Premier League with West Ham United in September 2001, Glenn Roeder paying a club record fee of £5.5 million to bring him to Upton Park. Repka quickly became a fan favourite at the Hammers with his fearless defending and passionate performances. He played for West Ham for five seasons before returning to the Czech Republic and rejoining Sparta Prague in 2006, where he would win the Czech First League another two times.

However, Repka's career was not without controversy. He was known for his aggressive style of play and was sent off twenty times during his career. Despite his controversial moments, Repka remains a popular figure with his former clubs and in Czech football. He played 46 times for the Czech national team between 1994 and 2001 and will be remembered as one of the most combative defenders of his generation.