Radoslav Kováč – Draktnr. 14
Født 27.november 1979, Praha – Tsjekkia
Possisjon: Midtbane, defensiv midtbane
A-lags kamper for WHU (mål): 45 (3)
Mål 2010-11: 0
Assists 2010-11: 0
A-landskamper (mål): 30 (2)
U-landskamper (mål): 15 (0)
Kom fra: Spartak Moskva, januar 2009
Debutkamp (ddmmåå) : Middlesborough (FA-C) 25.02.09
Tidligere klubber: Sigma Olomouc, Sparta Praha,  Spartak Moskva
Overgangsum til WHU : £ 2.000.000

Experienced Czech Republic international Radoslav Kovac completed a permanent switch to West Ham United on 14 August 2009 after a previous successful loan spell.

Kovac had first moved to east London on loan from Russian club Spartak Moscow on 30 January 2009. His performances in ten league and cup outings in the 2008/09 run-in were such that Gianfranco Zola was determined to secure his services full time on a long-term deal.

The versatile 29-year-old, who can slot in comfortably in both defensive midfield and central defensive roles, was born in the Czech capital Prague in November 1979. Kovac joined Sigma Olomouc as a teenager, making his first-team debut at the age of 17 and progressing to the Czech Under-21 side.

After spending six years with Sigma the tall, blonde player made a switch to Gambrinus League giants Sparta Prague in the summer of 2003. There, Kovac followed national team manager Karel Bruckner - who had previously capped him 15 times for the Under-21 side - making his full international debut in a 1-0 win over Romania in October 2004.

Back at club level, Kovac moved to Spartak in July 2005, representing the club in both the UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League - a competition in which he has played 14 games, scoring one goal - and helping them to runners-up spot in the Russian League in both 2006 and 2007. His form for the club led to a call-up to the Czech squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In Germany, he started his country's Group E clash with Italy.

Kovac went on to score his first international goal in a 1-0 Euro 2008 qualifying win over Cyprus in Liberec in March 2007. He has gone on to win more than 25 caps for his country, appearing in the Euro 2008 Group A win over Switzerland in Basel.

The tenacious midfielder has been a regular in the Czech squad under new coach Petr Rada, playing an influential role in the 2-2 draw with England at Wembley last August. Kovac was named in the starting eleven for the Czech's opening three FIFA 2010 World Cup qualifiers, scoring his second international goal in the 3-0 win over San Marino in Seravelle in November.