Signed: July 2005 from FC Slovan Liberec

A physically strong and aggressive striker who is one of the most respected marksman in the Czech Republic, being particularly effective in the air. This is reflected in his record of 21 appearances for the Czech U21 international team during which he was a member of the exciting side that defeated France 3-1 on penalties in the final of the European U21 Championship in May 2002. Indeed, Michal scored the first penalty in the shoot-out.

The brave attacker was a youth player with Slavoj Zbraslav and Dukla Prague, before joining AC Sparta Prague in 1992. Michal eventually made the senior squad and played in the Champions League before spending two years on loan to FK Chmel Blsany (1998-2000). The big striker moved to FK Viktoria Zizkov in July 2000 and in addition to playing in the UEFA Cup, Michal helped Viktoria to win the Czech Republic Cup in 2001 with a 2-1 win over Sparta Prague.

In 2001-2002, he helped Viktoria to third place in the League and then in June 2002 Michal returned to Sparta Prague where he once again played in the Champions League and immediately helped his old club to win the League Championship. In July 2003, the tough attacker was recruited by FC Slovan Liberec where he scored 24 goals in 74 games and helped the club finish in the top half of the First Division in the past two seasons. Slovan have also twice played in the Inter-Toto Cup and in August 2004 they reached the Final only to lose to Schalke 04.

The big hit-man is another player known to George Burley and after a successful trial period in which he appeared against Middlesbrough, Michal was signed from FC Slovan Liberec for three years for a fee in excess of £300,000.