Sparta strengthen with Štajner
Monday, February 2, 2004
Article summary
Hannover 96 striker Jirí Štajner has returned to his homeland to sign for champions AC Sparta Praha on loan.
Article body
Czech championship
The 27-year-old left the Czech Republic in 2002, moving to Hannover for €5m on a four-year contract after scoring 15 goals as FC Slovan Liberec won their first championship. Štajner registered four goals in 32 Bundesliga outings in his first season and has struck three in 16 this term. However, he has been homesick and was keen to quit Hannover.
New signings
Štajner joins a team in second place in the Czech top flight. Sparta are also through to the second round of the UEFA Champions League, where they will play holders AC Milan. Štajner, who hopes to make the Czech UEFA EURO 2004™ squad, links up with fellow recruits Petr Vorísek and Jan Rezek at the Letná stadium.