Michal Kadlec

Michal Kadlec (born 13 December 1984) is a Czech former professional footballer who played as a defender for 1. FC Slovácko, Sparta Prague, Bayer Leverkusen and Fenerbahçe.

Having made his senior national team debut in 2007, Kadlec has scored eight goals in 67 caps for the Czech Republic, representing the country at three UEFA European Championships between 2008 and 2016.

Early life

Kadlec was born in 1984 in Vyškov. After his father, Miroslav Kadlec, joined 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 1990, the family moved to Germany in the Kaiserslautern area. Kadlec learned German in kindergarten before he went to school one year later. After his time in Grundschule, he went to the Gymnasium. When Kadlec's father signed for FK Drnovice in 1998, his son returned to the Czech Republic.

Club career

Kadlec playing for Bayer Leverkusen in 2011

Kadlec started his professional career in Slovácko and made his league debut against Baník Ostrava.^[when?] He joined Sparta Prague in 2005.

On 14 June 2013, he joined Fenerbahçe for a €4.5 million transfer fee, signing a three-year contract worth €2.1 million per season.

On 12 May 2024, Kadlec announced end of his football career.

International career

On 17 November 2007, Kadlec was called up to the Czech national team in a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying against Slovakia, and debuted in a 3–1 victory where he scored an own goal. Kadlec scored his first goal in the same 3–1 victory, this time against Scotland on 30 May 2008.

On 16 June 2012, against Poland in the European Championship, Kadlec headed a ball off the line in the dying seconds, preserving the Czechs' spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament. The striker had beaten goalkeeper Petr Čech and appeared to be headed to the inside of the far post; if it had been scored, Poland would ensure a draw, and the Czech Republic would be eliminated from the tournament.