Czechs check in at Zenit

New FC Zenit St. Petersburg coach Vlastimil Petrzela has brought two Czech players to the club.

New blood
The Czech coach has brought two new players from AC Sparta Praha to boost Zenit's challenge for the 2003 season, with defender Martin Horák and midfield player Radek Šírl moving to Russia.

Two-year deals
Sparta director Miroslav Pelta announced that he had agreed terms with Zenit chairman Vitali Mutko in Moscow on Friday and that three-years deals would be signed on Monday. The transfer fee has not been revealed but estimates suggest a figure of around €1m for the pair.

U21 experience
Both newcomers have gained experience from playing in the Czech Republic Under-21 team. Horák was a member of the squad which won the UEFA European Under-21 Championships in Switzerland in May, while Šírl plays in current U21 team. Both lost their places in Sparta's starting eleven during the autumn season and the club decided to sell them after they were knocked out of the UEFA Cup.    

Familiar faces
Petrzela is familiar with both players since they were all together at Sparta's neighbours CU Bohemians Praha during last season. The coach was also keen on bringing defender Pavel Mares to the Petrovsky stadium, but new Sparta coach Jirí Kotrba refused to release him.