Zdeněk Kroča
Encyclopedia
Zdeněk Kroča is a Czech
footballer who plays for Kilmarnock
as a defender
.
, Zlín Region
, Kroča started his career as a youth player for FC Tescoma Zlín
and was promoted to the senior side in 2000. He started his first game for Zlín in the 2002-03 Gambrinus liga season, and went on to play 104 league games until the end of the 2005-06 season as the club consolidated themselves in the Gambrinus liga
.
Kroča was linked to a move to then-Slovak Superliga champions Artmedia Bratislava in January 2006. He played on trial in a friendly game, though Artmedia opted against signing him, stating he was too similar to players already at the club.
He joined German Regionalliga Süd
side Sportfreunde Siegen
on loan for the start of the 2006-07 season, playing in seven matches and scoring once.
Kroča signed a new contract with Zlín the next season, once again becoming a regular in the team. Zlín were relegated to the Czech 2. Liga
at the end of the 2008-09 season. He stayed at the club for one more year before his contract ended.
He signed for English Conference National
team Luton Town
on 4 August 2010 on a one-year contract following a successful trial period. He scored on his competitive Luton debut in a 2–1 victory over Altrincham
.
He then scored two further goals in the opening weeks of the season against Newport County
and AFC Wimbledon
.
Kroča signed for Scottish Premier League
side Kilmarnock
when his Luton contract expired on 30 June 2011. Kroča made his SPL debute on Sunday 24 July 2011 in a 1-1 draw against Dundee United at Tannadice Park. Kroča scored his first goal for Kilmarnock
in a 3-2 win against Dunfermline Athletic at Rugby Park on 10 September 2011.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
footballer who plays for Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Career
Born in ZlínZlín
Zlín , from 1949 to 1989 Gottwaldov , is a city in the Zlín Region, southeastern Moravia, Czech Republic, on the Dřevnice River. The development of the modern city is closely connected to the Bata Shoes company...
, Zlín Region
Zlín Region
Zlín Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located in the central-eastern part of the historical region of Moravia. It is named after its capital Zlín....
, Kroča started his career as a youth player for FC Tescoma Zlín
FC Tescoma Zlín
FC Tescoma Zlín is a Czech football club from Zlín, in the Moravia region. They currently play in the Czech 2. Liga.After gaining promotion to the First Division the team recorded a number of steady performances in the league, recording a 7th place finish twice, in 2003 and 2004, and more recently...
and was promoted to the senior side in 2000. He started his first game for Zlín in the 2002-03 Gambrinus liga season, and went on to play 104 league games until the end of the 2005-06 season as the club consolidated themselves in the Gambrinus liga
Gambrinus Liga
The Gambrinus liga is a Czech professional league for football clubs. At the top of the Czech football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 16 clubs, operating a system of promotion and relegation with the Czech 2. Liga. Seasons run from August to May,...
.
Kroča was linked to a move to then-Slovak Superliga champions Artmedia Bratislava in January 2006. He played on trial in a friendly game, though Artmedia opted against signing him, stating he was too similar to players already at the club.
He joined German Regionalliga Süd
Regionalliga Süd
The Regionalliga Süd is currently the fourth tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008, it was the third tier. It currently is the highest regional league for the southern part of Germany...
side Sportfreunde Siegen
Sportfreunde Siegen
Sportfreunde Siegen is a German association football club based in Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The club was founded in 1899 as the football department of the gymnastics club Turn Verein Jahn von 1879 Siegen...
on loan for the start of the 2006-07 season, playing in seven matches and scoring once.
Kroča signed a new contract with Zlín the next season, once again becoming a regular in the team. Zlín were relegated to the Czech 2. Liga
Czech 2. Liga
The 2. liga or Druhá liga is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in the Czech Republic. The top two teams are promoted to the Gambrinus liga.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the Czech 2. Liga...
at the end of the 2008-09 season. He stayed at the club for one more year before his contract ended.
He signed for English Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
team Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
on 4 August 2010 on a one-year contract following a successful trial period. He scored on his competitive Luton debut in a 2–1 victory over Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
.
He then scored two further goals in the opening weeks of the season against Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
and AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
.
Kroča signed for Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
when his Luton contract expired on 30 June 2011. Kroča made his SPL debute on Sunday 24 July 2011 in a 1-1 draw against Dundee United at Tannadice Park. Kroča scored his first goal for Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
in a 3-2 win against Dunfermline Athletic at Rugby Park on 10 September 2011.