Kuchar swaps Slavia for Shinnik
Friday, January 17, 2003
Article summary
Tomáš Kuchar has left UEFA Cup hopefuls SK Slavia Praha to join Russian club FC Shinnik Yaroslavl.
Article body
Good impression
The 26-year-old creative midfield player had a one-week trial in Yaroslavl and impressed enough to earn a three-year contract with the side that finished sixth in the Russian top flight in the 2002 season. Kuchar had been with Slavia since 1997, playing 188 league games and scoring 16 goals.
Czech exodus
Kuchar is the fifth Czech player to head for Russia this winter. He has followed Jirí Jarosík, who joined PFC CSKA Moskva, and three AC Sparta Praha players, Radek Šírl, Martin Horák and Pavel Mareš, who signed for FC Zenit St. Petersburg. More Czech imports could be on the way in Russia as FK Chmel Blšany goalkeeper Ales Chvalovský is on trial at FC Spartak Moskva.
Busy time
Slavia are through to the fourth round of the UEFA Cup, and meet Turkish club Besiktas JK next month. The first leg is on 20 February, with the return a week later. In the 1. Liga, second-placed Slavia are two points behind leaders Sparta.
