Martin Skrtel

Martin Skrtel is a Slovakia international football player who currently features for Slovakian club Spartak Trnava but is best known for a stint with Liverpool. He plays as a central defender and is considered as one of the best in the world in his position.

Skrtel commenced his professional club football career at Slovakian club Trencin in 2001 and played for them for the next three years, scoring eight goals in 44 league appearances. He was then signed by Russian club Zenit St Petersburg, scoring thrice in 74 league matches.

Skrtel won the Russian Premier League with Zenit in 2006-07 and his success and his performances earned him a move to Liverpool in January 2008 on a four-and-a-half year contract for a transfer fee of £6.5 million.

He was an instant success at Anfield and quickly established himself as one of the best central defenders on the planet. He made over 240 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, before moving to Turkey to play for Fenerbahce and later Istanbul Basaksehir.

Skrtel made his international debut for Slovakia in 2004 and played for his country at the 2010 World Cup finals.

Career achievements

• Russian Premier League winner: 2007 with Zenit
• Football League Cup winner: 2011–12 with Liverpool
• Turkish Super Lig winner: 2019-20 with İstanbul Başakşehir
• King's Cup: 2018 with Slovakia
• Peter Dubovský Award: 2005
• Slovak Footballer of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012
• Liverpool Player of the Year: 2011–12