Jan Lastuvka Position: Goalkeeper Born: 7th Jul 1982, Havirov Signed: 4th Aug 2008 (£0) Previous Club: Shaktar Donetsk
With Richard Wright heading back to Ipswich the Hammers moved swiftly to secure the season-long loan (with option to buy) of Czech goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka.
A former student of philosophy, Lastuvka made his name at Banik Ostrava in the Czech Republic before sealing a move to Shaktar Donetsk in 2004. In 2006 he was sent on a season-long loan to Fulham where he suffered a torrid time; Fulham eventually sent him back to Shaktar without taking up the option to buy clause.
Last season Lastuvka was once again sent on loan, this time to VfL Bochum of the Bundesliga. However his time with Die Unabsteigbaren was equally unremarkable and the Germans failed to meet Shaktar''s £2million asking price.
Lastuvka will have to do much to persuade the United camp to make his deal permanent at the end of the year - although working alongside compatriots Ludo Miklosko and Marek Stech should prove advantageous.
