Frank Simek

Football player infobox| playername= Frank Simek


fullname = Franklin Simek
nickname = Frankie
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|10|13
cityofbirth = St. Louis, Missouri
countryofbirth = United States
height = Height|feet=5|inches=11
currentclub = Sheffield Wednesday
position = Defender
years = 2003–2005
2004
2005
2005–
clubs = Arsenal
→ QPR (loan)
→ Bournemouth (loan)
Sheffield Wednesday
caps(goals) = 000 (0)
005 (0)
008 (0)
101 (2)
nationalyears = 2007–
nationalteam = United States
nationalcaps(goals) = 005 (0)
pcupdate = 15:38, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 9 June 2007

Franklin "Frank" or "Frankie" Simek (born October 13, 1984 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA) is an American soccer (football) player who currently plays for English club Sheffield Wednesday at right back.

Playing career

Simek played soccer as a child in the United States, but did not think of the game as a career until his family moved to London after his father was assigned to a position at the English office of Anheuser-Busch when Frank was 12. He was signed by Arsenal to a development contract, but decided to move back to St. Louis, where he played at Saint Louis University High School. However, during this time Arsenal called him back to play on the youth team.

While at Arsenal he rose to assume the captaincy of the reserve side, but had difficulty breaking into the first team; he found himself behind Lauren, Kolo Touré, Emmanuel Eboué and Justin Hoyte in the pecking order. He played a single match for Arsenal, in the League Cup against Wolves on December 2 2003.

Simek joined the Owls on a free transfer from Arsenal in the summer of 2005 and made his Sheffield Wednesday debut on the opening day of the 2005-06 season away at Stoke City. He went on to win a regular starting spot, ousting fan-favourite Lee Bullen from his preferred right-back position. Simek scored his first goal in his first season at Wednesday away at Millwall. The goal gave the Owls a 1-0 win and helped them in their battle against relegation. Frank then managed to get his first home goal against Colchester in the 2006-2007. Frank has managed to gain a regular first team place at Hillsborough and is becoming a crowd favourite for his tough tackling and powerful running. Due to Simek's American roots, the crowd is often heard chanting "USA! USA! USA!"

Simek signed a new contract with Sheffield Wednesday on 26 July 2007. The contract will see him remain at Hillsborough until 2010.

International career

Simek received his first call up to the United States National Team in 2007, and made his full debut on the international stage on March 28 in a 0-0 draw against Guatemala in Frisco, Texas. Frank currently has five full caps for his country. His most recent call up was for the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

References

* [http://www.swfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10304~29401,00.html Frank Simek player profile] at swfc.co.uk
*soccerbase|id=37213|name=Frank Simek
*ESPNsoccernet|id=40232|name=Frank Simek

External links

* [http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=players&id=18 Frank Simek on Yanks Abroad]