Szilárd Németh

Szilárd 'The Slovakian Express' Németh (born August 8 1977 in Komárno, Slovakia) is a professional Slovak footballer (ethnic Hungarian) that currently plays for German club Alemannia Aachen.

Németh started his career with Slovan Bratislava, before moving to eastern Slovakian club FC Košice. At both of these clubs he achieved impressive goalscoring feats and earned a loan move to the giants of the region, Czech team Sparta Prague.

From here he moved back to Slovakia with one of the top teams of the country, Inter Bratislava. It was here that he started to impress Western European scouts. Amid rumours of interest from Inter Milan, he eventually signed for English Premiership side Middlesbrough in 2001.

His four years at the club were frustrating. He scored twenty-eight goals in nearly one hundred and fifty appearances, but never commanded a regular starting place.

The 2005/2006 Premiership season saw Németh turn down numerous transfer offers, including a rumoured two million pound bid from UEFA Cup champions CSKA Moscow. Németh suffered an early injury against Liverpool, which ruled him out for several months. Following his return from injury, he was loaned out to Strasbourg in January 2006.

After Strasbourg's relegation from Ligue 1 the club decided against signing Németh on a permanent basis and he returned to Middlesbrough. In late August 2006, Németh agreed to join German Bundesliga side Alemannia Aachen. He left on a free transfer after his contract with Middlesbrough expired. Németh agreed a two year deal with Alemannia and will join the newly promoted club subject to a medical.

Németh has impressed at international level, scoring 21 times in 55 appearances for Slovakia.

In November 2006, Németh suffered a pulmonary embolism after a thrombosis developed from a calf injury. The condition was found early, saving his life, and he is expected to return to the pitch within three to six months.

External links

• Szilárd Németh stats