Michalik: Lubomir

2007-Current (Player Details)

Central Defender

Born: Cadca, Slovakia: 13-08-1983

Debut: v Luton Town (h): 10-03-2007

6’4” 13st (2007)

Lubomir Michalik played for Cadca, his hometown in Slovakia and join FC Senec in July 2005. After scoring twice in twenty games, Michalik signed for Bolton Wanderers in January 2007 from the Slovakian team on a three and a half year contract for an undisclosed transfer fee. In March 2007, as Bolton sought to help him acclimatise to English football following his arrival, Centre-back Michalik was loaned by Bolton to Championship strugglers Leeds United on a one month deal. The defender's performances earned a great deal of credit from the Leeds faithful, particularly due to his match-winning goal on 7th April 2008 in a 2-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle. As a result of his strong performances, then Leeds manager Dennis Wise extended the Slovakian's loan deal until the end of the season. However, the Trotters recalled Michalik due to a spate of injuries to their first choice centre-backs. He made his debut the day after his recall, as a substitute, against Reading in a 3-1 defeat. Michalik again impressed and coped with the pressures of EPL football, scoring with a header against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Dennis Wise continued to express his liking for the player, and attempted to re-sign the defender in the January 2008 transfer window. The deal went through after Wise had departed from Leeds, as, upon the appointment of Gary McAllister as Leeds boss, the Yorkshire side remained insistant on their determination to sign the Slovak. On the final day of the transfer window, a deal was concluded and Michalik signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for a fee of £500,000. Michalik made eleven League appearances, including three as a substitute, scoring once for Bolton. He also made one FA Cup appearance, two League Cup appearances, one being as a substitute and three games in the UEFA Cup. Michalik was able to install himself as a regular after his second signing with Leeds, often in partnership with Paul Huntington. He was suspended after being sent off against Crewe Alexandra on 6th September 2008 and after that he seemed to lose form and found himself omitted from the team in favour of new signing Richard Naylor by new Manager Simon Grayson. He could not regain his former position at the heart of the defence, but remained in the squad and often came off the bench as the first choice if there was an injury to a defender. He scored his first goal for Leeds since signing permanently on 5th September 2009 against Stockport County. With the signing of Richard Naylor and Leigh Bromby competition for the central defensive positions at Elland Road became intense and later when Neill Collins was loaned he rarely featured. He was clearly out of favour and it came as no surprise when he was not retained at the end of the season. He has played four times for Slovakia to date. He debuted as a second half substitute against the UAE and scored. He played his second match against Ireland as a late substitute on 28th March 2007 in the European Championship Qualifiers. In the same competition he was an unused substitute against Germany on 6th June 2008 and started against Czech Republic on 17th November 2008 and San Marino on 21st November 2008, a game in which he opened the scoring in the forty-second minute. In May 2010 he was included in a twenty-nine man squad by Slovakia for the World Cup, but was later omitted from the final twenty-three. On 31st August 2010 Michalik was loaned to Carlisle United until 3rd January 2011.