Patrik Berger (born 10 November 1973 in Prague) is a Czech
football (soccer) player. He is currently a midfielder for
English Premiership team Portsmouth.
Patrik Berger began his career with Sparta Prague in 1991/92,
and moved to Borussia Dortmund in 1995/96, with whom he won the
Bundesliga title that year. After impressive displays for the
Czech Republic side in the 1996 European Football Championship
he was signed by Liverpool for £3.25 million.
Berger was impressive when he played for Liverpool, but over the
next few years struggled with injuries, meaning he was in and
out of the side.
He kept his place when fit in both his club and national side,
but only made one appearance in the 2000 European Football
Championship, having been suspended after being sent off in a
qualifier against the Faroe Islands.
Berger picked up a serious knee injury during the 2000/01 season
and had to fly to the United States for an operation by the
renowned Dr. Richard Steadman. He made a return at the end of
March in time to pick up a UEFA Cup winners' medal at the end of
the campaign.
His season was again disrupted by injuries in the 2001/02
campaign, but he played a far bigger part than in the previous
campaign.
However, recurring injuries meant in the 2002/03 season Berger
rarely featured, playing in just four games. At the end of that
season his contract expired and he moved on a free transfer to
Portsmouth FC, having played 196 games for Liverpool, scoring 35
goals in the process.
He made his first appearance for Pompey on the opening day of
the club's debut Premiership season in a 2-1 home win over Aston
Villa, scoring the second goal. However, in February 2004, he
was forced to undergo an operation upon his knee forcing him to
miss the rest of the season.
His performances at the start of the 2004-2005 season indicate
that a return to his best form might on the cards. |
