Kenyan international Timothy Ouma ditched Swedish club Elfsborg for Slavia Prague and here is everything you need to know about the Czech giants.
Harambee Stars midfielder finally completed his long-awaited move to Czech giants Slavia Prague on Sunday.
The 20-year-old ditched Swedish club Elfsborg, in a deal reported to be 40 million Kronor (Ksh473 million), and has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract that will see him stay in Prague up to June 2029.
Ouma joins the club at a time when his stock has risen and will be expected to hit the ground running at his new work station.
The Kenyan international was also linked with a number of teams, including English Championship clubs Sheffield United and Luton Town, as well as French side Saint Etienne, but opted for Slavia Prague following assurances about playing time.
So, who are the Czech giants that Ouma chose over clubs from England and France?
History
Slavia Prague are the second most successful club in the Czech Republic. Photo/Slavia Prague
Slavia Prague are the second most successful team in the Czech Republic since independence in 1993 with 21 domestic league titles.
The club was founded on November 2, 1892 by medicine students in Vinohrady, Prague, as a sport club aimed at increasing sport activity among students and initially focused on cycling and expanded to football in 1896.
The club’s colours, red and white, were chosen as standing for the heart and blood and fair play and sportsmanship respectively. The inverted five-pointed star was intended to symbolise “new hope, forever strengthening the mind and uplifting the spirit.” The name “Slavia” is a Latin term, meaning lands inhabited by Slavs.
Honours
Slavia Prague have won 21 league titles, 13 of which came before independence in 1993, with their last crown coming in the 2020-21 season. They also have 11 Czech cups.
Biggest match
The biggest match on the Czech calendar is the Prague derby, pitting bitter rivals Slavia and Sparta Prague as both teams hail from the country’s capital.
Home venue
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Slavia Prague play their home matches at the 19,370-seater Fortuna Arena. Photo/Slavia Prague
Slavia Prague host their matches at the 19,370-seater Fortuna Arena, the biggest and most modern stadium in the Czech Republic.
European pedigree
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Timothy Ouma can expect to feature regurlary in European competitions. Photo/Slavia Prague
Slavia Prague are regulars in UEFA competitions as they feature in either Champions League or Europa League.
Their best performance is a semi-final of the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) in the 1995-96 season while they also reached the quarter-final in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
Their first foray into the prestigious Champions League was in the 2007-08 campaign when they made it to the group stages and also qualified for the same in 2019-20.
Notable former players
Slavia Prague have produced a number of star players from the Czech Republic down the years and followers of the Premier League will identify West Ham United duo Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek, who honed their skills at the club.
Current league position
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Timothy Ouma could win his first league title this season. Photo/Imago
Slavia Prague look determined to end their four-year wait for a league title this season as Ouma joins at a time when they are top of the 16-team Czech First League on 53 points from 20 matches, 10 more than second-placed Viktoria Plzen, who have a game in hand.
Ouma therefore has a chance to win his first league title with the club this term which will also come with a ticket to play European football next season.
