Šmicer sets up Slavia homecoming

Czech Republic midfielder Vladimír Šmicer is set to return to SK Slavia Praha after signing a 12-month contract from FC Girondins de Bordeaux, eleven years after first departing the club.

Liverpool success
The 34-year-old made 81 league appearances in four seasons with Slavia before joining RC Lens in 1996 after catching the eye with an impressive campaign for the Czechs at EURO '96™, where they were runners-up. Šmicer savoured success in Ligue 1 two years later as Lens claimed the title and in 1999 he secured a lucrative switch to Liverpool FC. He collected UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League winners' medals in a successful six-year spell at Anfield before linking up with Bordeaux in 2005.

Good omen
After a good first season a succession of injuries limited Šmicer to just three substitute appearances in the French top flight last term. He won the last of his 81 caps to date in November 2005 and will now divert his attentions and experience to Czech runners-up Slavia as they prepare for the forthcoming season. The Prague outfit will enter the UEFA Champions League in the second qualifying round and are seeking a first domestic league title since Šmicer helped them to glory in the final campaign of his first spell in 1995/96.