Liberec bring Rajnoch back home

Former Czech Republic defender Jan Rajnoch will spend the remainder of the season with UEFA Europa League contenders FC Slovan Liberec as they prepare for a round of 32 encounter with AZ Alkmaar.

The 32-year-old has returned to the Czech Republic after a three-and-a-half year-spell in Turkey, where he represented MKE Ankaragücü, Sivasspor and most recently Adana Demirspor. He fills the gap left by Croatian defender Renáto Kelić, who has moved to Italy to join Padova Calcio. "We have picked up Jan as an adequate replacement for Kelić," Slovan sporting director Jan Nezmar said. "He has the kind of winning mentality you need in every team."

The club earlier brought another Czech player home, signing midfielder Marek Jarolím from Greek side Iraklis FC as a replacement for Serhiy Rybalka, whose loan spell from FC Dynamo Kyiv has come to an end. More running repairs may be necessary in the months ahead, with Liberec's other central defender, 34-year-old Radoslav Kováč, having announced that he will return to AC Sparta Praha in the summer.