Liverpool FC player profile - Martin Skrtel

Martin Skrtel is a professional footballer who was born on 15 December 1984 in Handlová, in the former Czechoslovakia, now known as Slovakia. Martin Skrtel first started playing football as a six year old and by the age of sixteen had signed his first professional contract with Slovakian first division side FK AS Trenčín. Martin Skrtel remained with FK AS Trenčín for 3 years between 2001 and 2004 during which time he made 45 appearances and scored 8 goals. In 2004 Martin Skrtel joined Russian club Zenit St Petersburg and made his debut with them on 31 July 2004 in a Russian Cup match, he remained with the club for nearly four years in which time he made 74 appearances and scored 3 goals. It was also around this time in 2004 that Martin Skrtel made his first appearance for the Slovakia national squad.

Martin Skrtel was soon being linked with a number of big European clubs from both the Premier League and Spain's La Liga and on 11 January 2008 he signed for Liverpool FC. The Liverpool FC full debut for Martin Skrtel came two weeks later on 26 January 2008 in an FA Cup fourth round tie against non-league side Havant & Waterlooville. A number of good performances over the next few months earned Martin Skrtel a regular place in Liverpool FC's starting line-up. Martin Skrtel's first goal for Liverpool FC came in the Premier League at Anfield on 21 November 2009 in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City.