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Petr Cech

Date of birth
20/05/1982
Place of birth
Plzeň, Czechoslovakia
Nationality
Czech Republic
Height
6’5
Weight
14st 2lb
Playing position
Goalkeeper
Current club
Chelsea FC

Petr Cech started playing football for the local youth team F.C. Viktoria in his home town of Plzen. At that time Petr regularly played as a midfielder, however when he broke his leg at the age of ten he took up the regular position of goalkeeper.

It was in 1999 that Petr made his first senior-level appearance for FK Chmel Blšany, at just 17 years old. The following season he joined AC Sparta Praha, it was here that Petr built his reputation when he set a national record of going 855 minutes without conceding a goal. He also went onto set a club record that season, having gone 928 minutes unbeaten in all competitions in 2001–2002.

Cech's outstanding performances and Champions League exposure alerted European scouts to the young goalkeeper's talent and in July 2002 he signed for French side, Stade Rennes FC.

In January 2004, Petr agreed a summer move to Chelsea FC, signing a five-year contract, to commence in July 2004. At £7million, Petr cost more than all the past goalkeepers in Chelsea’s history combined. It was during his first season at Chelsea that Petr set the Premiership record when he went 1024 minutes without conceding a goal between the December and March. He was awarded the Golden Gloves at the end of the 2004/5 season for keeping a record 21 clean sheets.

After the 2006 World Cup Petr underwent minor shoulder surgery to repair a long-standing injury stemming from the previous season, resulting in him missing the beginning of the 2006/07 season. A dreadful collision with Reading’s Stephen Hunt in October 2006, left Petr having to have emergency surgery on a depressed fracture he sustained to his skull. Following hospital treatment, Petr is now seen playing in a special helmet which he continues to wear for added protection. He was one of the players named by his then boss José Mourinho as an 'untouchable' and was presented with the Chelsea Award for Outstanding Achievement in recognition of his remarkable comeback from a serious injury.

In April 2008, Petr had emergency surgery following an accidental collision during a training session which resulted in him having 50 stitches in his lip and chin. It was just one week after the surgery that Petr was back playing for Chelsea, but with his consistent form he remains highly regarded as the World’s Best Goalkeeper.

Petr was named Czech Republic Player of the Year 2010 for the fifth time, having won it previously in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

INTERNATIONAL CAREER:

Petr’s international success with Czech Republic have included winning the 2002 Under 21’s European Championship, reaching the semi-finals of the 2004 European Championship with five clean sheets, which resulted in Petr being named in the all-star squad of the tournament.

Having qualified for the 2006 World Cup, the Czech Republic was placed third by the end of the group stages. Petr was made team captain for their Euro 2008 qualifier against Germany in October 2007, he kept a clean sheet as the Czechs defeated Germany 3–0.