patrick_berger

Former Player: Patrick Berger

Patrick Berger was born in Prague, and is nephew to former Czechoslovakia player Jan Berger. Patrick played at youth level for Sparta Prague, though he eventually signed his first professional contract with rivals Slavia Prague, where he played as a youngster. Berger made 90 appearances for the club, scoring 24 goals.

Having impressed as a youngster, Ottmar Hitzfeld brought Patrick to Borussia Dortmund for around £500,000, and although Dortmund were successful in Berger’s one and only season there, winning the Bundesliga title, he was employed mainly as a substitute, and when he did play in an unfavoured Defensive Midfield berth. Berger left the following season to sign for Liverpool, who paid over £3million for the Czech.

We probably all know Berger best for his time at Liverpool. He settled in well on Merseyside, and won Player of the Month in the premiership early on in his English football career. When Gerard Houllier took the helm at the club, Berger became more of a key player, and featured heavily for the club, highlights of his time with the Reds being FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup medals. Berger made a total of 149 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 28 times.

When Portsmouth, resurgent under Harry Redknapp, won promotion to the Premiership, they signed Berger on a free transfer, and he was instrumental as they stayed up, though he was plagued by injuries.

After Pompey, Berger went to Villa, followed by a loan at Stoke in his last spells in English football. He left in 2008 to join Sparta Prague, his local club as a child.

Berger had a very successful career internationally, representing the Czech Republic on 42 occasions, scoring 17 goals. He played in the Euro Championships in 1996 and 2000.

The latter end of Patrick’s career was well and truly plagued by knee injuries, he saw specialists in the USA but in 2010 had to retire, with sources citing his injury problems as the reason. Patrick Berger, The North Stand Salutes you!

Ben

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