Tomáš Ujfaluši (, born 24 March 1978) is a Czech former professional Association football, footballer. He operated as either a central defender or a Right back (association football), right-back. Initially beginning his career with SK Sigma Olomouc in 1996, he played in Germany (four years), Italy (four), Spain (three), and Turkey (two) – winning six major titles between Hamburger SV, Atlético Madrid and Galatasaray S.K. (football), Galatasaray – respectively. Ujfaluši earned 78 appearances for the Czech Republic national football team, Czech Republic, representing the country at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, 2006 World Cup and two UEFA European Championship, European Championships.

Club career

Ujfaluši joined German side Hamburger SV in December 2000, taking the number 30 shirt and signing a four-and-a-half year contract. In 2004, Ujfaluši signed a four-year contract with Italian side ACF Fiorentina, Fiorentina for a fee of approximately €6.3 million.

Atlético Madrid

After nearly 150 official appearances for the ''Viola'' (albeit without silverware), being mainly used as a Defender (association football), centre-back by coach Cesare Prandelli, Ujfaluši joined Atlético Madrid as a free agent. On 19 September 2010, during injury time of a 1–2 league loss against FC Barcelona at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, Ujfaluši made a late challenge on Lionel Messi, injuring his right ankle. The defender received a straight Red card (association football), red card for his foul, and was subsequently banned for two games by the Spanish League's disciplinary committee.

Galatasaray

On 20 June 2011, aged 33, Ujfaluši signed for Süper Lig club Galatasaray S.K. (football), Galatasaray, for a Euro, €2 million transfer fee. He was an undisputed starter in 2011–12 Süper Lig, his first season, being sent off in the final game of the campaign – a goalless away draw against Fenerbahçe S.K. (football), Fenerbahçe SK – as ''Gala'' won a record-equalling 18th league title. Ujfaluši left Galatasaray at the end of 2012–13 Süper Lig, 2012–13 due to a long injury.

Sparta Prague

Ujfaluši returned to the Czech Republic and signed a one-year contract with AC Sparta Prague in August 2013, taking the number 3 shirt. He made his competitive debut for Sparta Prague in September 2013 in a Czech Cup third round match against FC Zlín of the second league. After a few months back in his homeland with Sparta Prague, he retired at the age of 35 on 2 December 2013. The same year on 18 December, Ujfaluši returned to Galatasaray, being appointed sporting director.

International career

Ujfaluši debuted for the Czech Republic national football team, Czech senior squad during a Exhibition game, friendly match against North Macedonia national football team, Macedonia in 2001. He represented the country at the UEFA Euro 2004 by appearing in four matches for the semifinalists and 2006 FIFA World Cup, being sent off in the latter tournament against Ghana national football team, Ghana in an eventual group stage exit. After nine years with the national team, during which he eventually gained Captain (association football), captaincy, Ujfaluši ended his international career on 8 April 2009 after being criticised for visiting a restaurant, accompanied by five other players, following the Czech Republic's defeat against Slovakia national football team, Slovakia earlier on 1 April in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA), World Cup qualification.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Hamburger SV *DFB-Ligapokal: 2003 DFB-Ligapokal, 2003 Atlético Madrid *UEFA Europa League: 2009–10 UEFA Europa League, 2009–10 *UEFA Super Cup: 2010 UEFA Super Cup, 2010 Galatasaray *Süper Lig: 2011–12 Süper Lig, 2011–12, 2012–13 Süper Lig, 2012–13 *Turkish Super Cup: 2012 Turkish Super Cup, 2012 Individual *ACF Fiorentina, Fiorentina All-time XI

References

External links

* * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ujfalusi, Tomas 1978 births Living people People from Rýmařov Czech men's footballers Footballers from the Moravian-Silesian Region Men's association football defenders UEFA Europa League–winning players Czech First League players SK Sigma Olomouc players AC Sparta Prague players Bundesliga players Hamburger SV players Serie A players ACF Fiorentina players La Liga players Atlético Madrid footballers Süper Lig players Galatasaray S.K. footballers Czech Republic men's youth international footballers Czech Republic men's under-21 international footballers Czech Republic men's international footballers UEFA Euro 2004 players 2006 FIFA World Cup players UEFA Euro 2008 players Olympic footballers for the Czech Republic Footballers at the 2000 Summer Olympics Czech expatriate men's footballers Expatriate men's footballers in Germany Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Expatriate men's footballers in Spain Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey Czech expatriate sportspeople in Germany Czech expatriate sportspeople in Italy Czech expatriate sportspeople in Spain Czech expatriate sportspeople in Turkey 21st-century Czech sportsmen