Mario Lička

Mario Lička

Personal information
Full name	Mario Lička
Date of birth	30 April 1982 (1982-04-30) (age 29)
Place of birth	Ostrava, Czechoslovakia
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Stade Brestois
Number	27
Youth career
1986–1987	FC Grenoble
1987–1989	Berchem Sport Antwerpen
1988–1990	Calais RUFC
1990–1991	FC Grande-Synthe
1991–2002	Baník Ostrava
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2002–2005	Baník Ostrava	65	(12)
2004	→ Livorno (loan)	4	(0)
2005–2006	1. FC Slovácko	28	(1)
2006–2008	Southampton	27	(1)
2008–2010	Baník Ostrava	58	(13)
2010–	Stade Brestois	31	(2)
National team‡
2002-2003	Czech Republic U-21	16	(2)
2009-	Czech Republic	3	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 May 2011. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2010

Mario Lička (pronounced Litchka; born 30 April 1982 in Ostrava) is a Czech footballer, currently playing for Stade Brestois in France. His position is midfielder.

Career

Lička began his footballing career at Czech club Baník Ostrava in 2002. He played at the Bazaly until January 2005, making sixty-five appearances. Lička was a member of the squad of Baník Ostrava in the 2003–2004 season, when Baník won the league title. He was sold to 1. FC Slovácko where he made 28 league appearances in 2005-06 and was released in July 2006.

He had an unsuccessful trial at West Ham United before signing for Southampton F.C., following another trial. After an injury hit first couple of months at the club, Lička forced his way into manager George Burley's plans, scoring his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win over Stoke City on 21 October 2006. However not long after he became surplus to Burley's requirements and found himself playing in the reserves. After the appointment of new manager Nigel Pearson in February 2008, Licka was given a new chance and after a series of good performances found himself playing regularly again. However after the return of former Chairman Rupert Lowe, Pearson did not have his short-term contract renewed despite saving the club from relegation. Lowe did not offer Lička a new contract as he was also at the end of his contract. Despite reported interest from Pearson at his new managerial post at Leicester City, Lička chose to return to his homeland to play for Baník Ostrava. In June 2010 he signed for the French club Stade Brestois for three seasons.

Personal life

His father Verner Lička was a very successful footballer. His brother Marcel is also a professional footballer.

External links

• Player's website
• Mario Lička international stats at the Czech Football Association website (Czech)
• Profile at iDNES.cz
• Mario Lička career stats at Soccerbase
• Mario Lička at National-Football-Teams.com

Persondata
Name	Licka, Mario
Alternative names
Short description	footballer
Date of birth	30 April 1982
Place of birth	Ostrava, Czechoslovakia
Date of death
Place of death