Mario Lička

Mario Kempes Lička (pronounced Mario Litchka; born 30 April 1982) is a Czech footballer, playing for SK Benešov. His position is midfielder.

Mario Lička
Personal information
Full name Mario Kempes Lička
Date of birth (1982-04-30) 30 April 1982
Place of birth Ostrava, Czechoslovakia
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 SK Benešov
Number 7
Youth career
1986–1987 FC Grenoble
1987–1989 Berchem Sport Antwerpen
1988–1990 Calais RUFC
1990–1991 FC Grande-Synthe
1991–2002 Baník Ostrava
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2005 Baník Ostrava 65 (12)
2004 → Livorno (loan) 4 (0)
2005–2006 1. FC Slovácko 28 (1)
2006–2008 Southampton 27 (1)
2008–2010 Baník Ostrava 58 (13)
2010–2013 Brest 84 (3)
2013–2014 SK Slavia Prague 13 (0)
2014–2015 FC Istres 28 (0)
2015–2016 Nieciecza 11 (0)
2016 FK Chmel Blšany
2016–2020 FK Zbuzany 1953
2020 Sokol Hostouň 1 (0)
2020– SK Benešov 5 (1)
National team‡
2002–2003 Czech Republic U-21 16 (2)
2009–2010 Czech Republic 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 October 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2010

Career

Lička began his footballing career at Czech club Baník Ostrava in 2002. He played at the Bazaly until January 2005, making sixty-five appearances. Lička was a member of the squad of Baník Ostrava in the 2003–2004 season, when Baník won the league title. He was sold to 1. FC Slovácko where he made 28 league appearances in 2005-06 and was released in July 2006.

He had an unsuccessful trial at West Ham United and Leeds United before signing for Southampton F.C., following another trial. After an injury hit first couple of months at the club, Lička forced his way into manager George Burley's plans, scoring his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win over Stoke City on 21 October 2006.[2] However not long after he became surplus to Burley's requirements and found himself playing in the reserves. After the appointment of new manager Nigel Pearson in February 2008, Licka was given a new chance and after a series of good performances found himself playing regularly again. However after the return of former Chairman Rupert Lowe, Pearson did not have his short-term contract renewed despite saving the club from relegation. Lowe did not offer Lička a new contract as he was also at the end of his contract. Despite reported interest from Pearson at his new managerial post at Leicester City, Lička chose to return to his homeland to play for Baník Ostrava. In June 2010 he signed for the French club Stade Brestois for three seasons. Lička currently plays in Slavia Prague.

Personal life

His father Verner Lička was a very successful footballer, then manager. His brother Marcel is also a professional footballer.

References
  1. Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan; Bull, David (2013). All the Saints: A Complete Players' Who's Who of Southampton FC. Southampton: Hagiology Publishing. p. 382. ISBN 978-0-9926-8640-6.
  2. "Southampton 1-0 Stoke". BBC. 21 October 2006. Retrieved 30 April 2012.

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