New start for Labant at Sparta

Slovakian international defender Vladimír Labant has completed his loan move from English Premiership strugglers West Ham United FC back to his former club AC Sparta Praha.

Failed to settle
The 28-year-old left-back departed the Czech first division leaders for €1.5m in January, but he has failed to settle in London. He has made only one appearance this season as a substitute and has lost his place in the Slovakian international team, putting a future work permit in doubt.

Vienna chance
Labant did look set to move to FK Austria Wien after a successful trial at the club where he would have linked up with former Sparta team-mate Martin Hasek, but negotiations stalled with the Austrian Bundesliga leaders already having their quota of foreign players.

New coach makes move
But now new Sparta coach Jirí Kotrba has moved for Labant, who will join the club for training on 27 December, with the Czech league set to resume in February.

Preferred offer
"We agreed on a one-year loan with an option to buy," said Sparta chairman Vlastimil Kostál after negotiations with West Ham were completed, while Juraj Venglos, Labant's agent, added: "Vlado did not want to wait. So we preferred the Sparta offer to the Austria one."

'I like the club'
Labant, considered the outstanding left-back in the Czech Republic during his time with SK Slavia Praha and Sparta, said: "There were a couple of possibilities but I spent my best years at Sparta and I like the club a lot. I have goosebumps watching the [UEFA] Champions League, where we played one year ago. I a happy to be back at Letná stadium."