Vladimír Labant


Vladimír Labant is a former Slovak football player. He represented the Slovakia national football team.

Club career

A much sought after defender after a successful spell with first Slavia. He joined AC Sparta Prague in 1999 but was then touted around Europe to several teams including PSV Eindhoven of Holland. He eventually moved to West Ham United for a fee just under £1m in January 2002. He made his debut when he came on as a substitute in an FA Cup tie against Chelsea. His cross led to West Ham's equaliser from Freddie Kanoute. He ended the 2001-02 season with 14 first team appearances for West Ham.
The following season he was shunned even as the club fell into a relegation battle. Having made just one appearance for West Ham in the 2002-03 season thus far, in a 4-0 loss at Newcastle United, he rejoined Sparta Prague on loan in December 2002, and eventually re-signed with them permanently the following summer.
Labant finished his playing career with FC Spartak Trnava in the Slovak Corgoň Liga.

International career

Labant made 27 appearances for the senior Slovakia national football team. He made his debut against Romania in a European Championship qualifier on March 27, 1999, a match in which he was sent off after receiving two yellow cards. Labant's final cap came against Austria on March 31, 2004.

Honours

Player

Slavia Prague
Sparta Prague
Individual