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| image          = Jan Koller 2019.jpg
| image          = Jan Koller 2019.jpg
| upright        =
| upright        =
| caption        = Koller in 2019
| caption        = Koller in a charity match, December 2019
| full_name      = Jan Koller<ref name="FIFA">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Czech Republic |publisher=FIFA |page=8 |date=21 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610174527/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=10 June 2019}}</ref>
| full_name      = Jan Koller<ref name="FIFA">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Czech Republic |publisher=FIFA |page=8 |date=21 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610174527/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=10 June 2019}}</ref>
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1973|3|30}}
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1973|3|30}}
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===Early career===
===Early career===
Koller started his football training as a [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]],<ref name=retirement>{{cite web | url = http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/czech-striker-koller-calls-it-day | title = Czech striker Koller calls it a day | work = FourFourTwo | date = 17 August 2011 | access-date = 17 October 2013 | archive-date = 17 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131017221635/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/czech-striker-koller-calls-it-day | url-status = live }}</ref> but was converted to [[Forward (association football)|striker]] by the time he started his professional career with Czech club [[AC Sparta Prague|Sparta Prague]]. He made his début for Sparta in the spring of 1995 in a match against [[FK Švarc Benešov|Benešov]], coming on as a substitute with 20 minutes of the game remaining.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fotbal.idnes.cz/ted-uz-budu-hrat-jen-zadarmo-loucil-se-fotbalovy-utocnik-koller-psm-/fot_dsouteze.aspx?c=A110906_142640_fot_dsouteze_ald|title=Teď už budu hrát jen zadarmo, loučil se fotbalový útočník Koller|language=cs|work=idnes.cz|date=6 September 2011|access-date=12 May 2013|archive-date=6 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306075601/http://fotbal.idnes.cz/ted-uz-budu-hrat-jen-zadarmo-loucil-se-fotbalovy-utocnik-koller-psm-/fot_dsouteze.aspx?c=A110906_142640_fot_dsouteze_ald|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, Koller caught the eye of Belgian football and signed with the club [[K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen|Lokeren]] for a fee equivalent to €102,000.<ref name=retirement/>
Koller started his football training as a [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]],<ref name=retirement>{{cite web | url = http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/czech-striker-koller-calls-it-day | title = Czech striker Koller calls it a day | work = FourFourTwo | date = 17 August 2011 | access-date = 17 October 2013 | archive-date = 17 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131017221635/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/czech-striker-koller-calls-it-day | url-status = live }}</ref> but was converted to [[Forward (association football)|striker]] by the time he started his professional career with Czech club [[AC Sparta Prague|Sparta Prague]]. He made his début for Sparta in the spring of 1995 in a match against [[FK Švarc Benešov|Benešov]], coming on as a substitute with 20 minutes of the game remaining.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 September 2011 |title=Teď už budu hrát jen zadarmo, loučil se fotbalový útočník Koller |trans-title="I'll only play for free now, said football striker Koller as he bid farewell." |url=http://fotbal.idnes.cz/ted-uz-budu-hrat-jen-zadarmo-loucil-se-fotbalovy-utocnik-koller-psm-/fot_dsouteze.aspx?c=A110906_142640_fot_dsouteze_ald |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306075601/http://fotbal.idnes.cz/ted-uz-budu-hrat-jen-zadarmo-loucil-se-fotbalovy-utocnik-koller-psm-/fot_dsouteze.aspx?c=A110906_142640_fot_dsouteze_ald |archive-date=6 March 2012 |access-date=12 May 2013 |work=idnes.cz |language=cs}}</ref> In 1996, Koller caught the eye of Belgian football and signed with the club [[K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen|Lokeren]] for a fee equivalent to €102,000.<ref name=retirement/>


===Anderlecht===
===Anderlecht===
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While Koller was at Dortmund, the club won the [[2001–02 Bundesliga]], thanks in part to Koller's 11 league goals. Besides the Bundesliga title his biggest success whilst at Dortmund was helping them to the [[2002 UEFA Cup Final]], where his goal could not prevent them losing 3–2 to Feyenoord.
While Koller was at Dortmund, the club won the [[2001–02 Bundesliga]], thanks in part to Koller's 11 league goals. Besides the Bundesliga title his biggest success whilst at Dortmund was helping them to the [[2002 UEFA Cup Final]], where his goal could not prevent them losing 3–2 to Feyenoord.


His training as a goalkeeper saw some use in the 2002–03 season. In a Bundesliga match against [[Bayern Munich]], Dortmund's goalkeeper [[Jens Lehmann]] was sent off in the second half for a second yellow card,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fotbal.idnes.cz/koller-za-dortmund-skoroval-i-chytal-dsk-/fot_zahranici.aspx?c=A021109_173527_fot_zahranici_mn|title=Koller za Dortmund skóroval i chytal|language=cs|publisher=idnes.cz|date=10 November 2002|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-date=17 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717184231/https://www.idnes.cz/fotbal/zahranici/koller-za-dortmund-skoroval-i-chytal.A021109_173527_fot_zahranici_mn|url-status=live}}</ref> and Dortmund had already used their three substitutions. Koller, who had already opened the scoring in the 8th minute, moved from striker to goalkeeper after 67 minutes of the match. He prevented any more goals for the rest of the match, despite Dortmund having been reduced to nine players due to the earlier expulsion of [[Torsten Frings]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fussballdaten.de/bundesliga/2003/12/bmuenchen-dortmund/|title=Spielstatistik FC Bayern München gegen Borussia Dortmund 2:1 (0:1) - Bundesliga 2002/2003 - Der 12. Spieltag - Fussballdaten - Die Fußballdatenbank|work=fussballdaten.de|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-date=31 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231221426/http://www.fussballdaten.de/bundesliga/2003/12/bmuenchen-dortmund/|url-status=live}}</ref> Koller was named by ''[[Kicker (sports magazine)|kicker]]'' as the Bundesliga's top goalkeeper of the week for his performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportbild.bild.de/SPORT/Kurztextgalerien/fu_C3_9Fball/feldspieler-als-torhueter/ktg-feldspieler-als-torhueter,templateId=renderInline,rendertext=13730162.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210172526/http://sportbild.bild.de/SPORT/Kurztextgalerien/fu_C3_9Fball/feldspieler-als-torhueter/ktg-feldspieler-als-torhueter,templateId=renderInline,rendertext=13730162.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 February 2013 |title=Auch diese Feldspieler standen im Tor |language=de |access-date=29 December 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/elf-des-tages/2002-03/12|title=1. Bundesliga - Elf des Tages am 12. Spieltag der Saison 2002/03|language=de|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-date=13 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613215510/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/spieltag/1-bundesliga/2002-03/12/elf-des-tages-am-spieltag.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
His training as a goalkeeper saw some use in the 2002–03 season. In a Bundesliga match against [[Bayern Munich]], Dortmund's goalkeeper [[Jens Lehmann]] was sent off in the second half for a second yellow card,<ref>{{cite news |date=10 November 2002 |title=Koller za Dortmund skóroval i chytal |trans-title=Koller scored and played as a goalkeeper for Dortmund. |url=http://fotbal.idnes.cz/koller-za-dortmund-skoroval-i-chytal-dsk-/fot_zahranici.aspx?c=A021109_173527_fot_zahranici_mn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717184231/https://www.idnes.cz/fotbal/zahranici/koller-za-dortmund-skoroval-i-chytal.A021109_173527_fot_zahranici_mn |archive-date=17 July 2024 |access-date=29 December 2012 |publisher=idnes.cz |language=cs}}</ref> and Dortmund had already used their three substitutions. Koller, who had already opened the scoring in the 8th minute, moved from striker to goalkeeper after 67 minutes of the match. He prevented any more goals for the rest of the match, despite Dortmund having been reduced to nine players due to the earlier expulsion of [[Torsten Frings]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Spielstatistik FC Bayern München gegen Borussia Dortmund 2:1 (0:1) - Bundesliga 2002/2003 - Der 12. Spieltag - Fussballdaten - Die Fußballdatenbank |trans-title="Match statistics FC Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund 2:1 (0:1) - Bundesliga 2002/2003 - Matchday 12 - Fussballdaten - The Football Database" |url=http://www.fussballdaten.de/bundesliga/2003/12/bmuenchen-dortmund/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231221426/http://www.fussballdaten.de/bundesliga/2003/12/bmuenchen-dortmund/ |archive-date=31 December 2012 |access-date=29 December 2012 |work=fussballdaten.de}}</ref> Koller was named by ''[[Kicker (sports magazine)|kicker]]'' as the Bundesliga's top goalkeeper of the week for his performance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Auch diese Feldspieler standen im Tor |trans-title=These outfield players also played in goal. |url=http://sportbild.bild.de/SPORT/Kurztextgalerien/fu_C3_9Fball/feldspieler-als-torhueter/ktg-feldspieler-als-torhueter,templateId=renderInline,rendertext=13730162.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210172526/http://sportbild.bild.de/SPORT/Kurztextgalerien/fu_C3_9Fball/feldspieler-als-torhueter/ktg-feldspieler-als-torhueter,templateId=renderInline,rendertext=13730162.html |archive-date=10 February 2013 |access-date=29 December 2012 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=1. Bundesliga - Elf des Tages am 12. Spieltag der Saison 2002/03 |trans-title=1. Bundesliga - Team of the Week on Matchday 12 of the 2002/03 Season |url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/elf-des-tages/2002-03/12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613215510/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/spieltag/1-bundesliga/2002-03/12/elf-des-tages-am-spieltag.html |archive-date=13 June 2013 |access-date=29 December 2012 |language=de}}</ref>


===Monaco and Nürnberg===
===Monaco and Nürnberg===
In a surprising move, Koller signed with French side [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]] in 2006 but a two-season disappointing campaign, despite a decent scoring record, forced him to move back to Germany to play with [[1. FC Nürnberg]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.fcn.de/index.php?id=16280 | title = Club vor Verpflichtung von Koller | work = fcn.de | date = 6 January 2006 | access-date = 5 March 2008 | language = de | archive-date = 26 February 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080226134353/http://www.fcn.de/index.php?id=16280 | url-status = live }}</ref> Unfortunately for Koller, who wasn't the only Czech in the team as he was partnered with [[Tomáš Galásek]] and [[Jaromír Blazek]], the Nürnberg-based club had performed poorly throughout the season and were relegated to [[2. Bundesliga]] at the end of the 2007–08 season. In 14 matches Bundesliga matches he netted twice for Nürnberg.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/kollerdata.html | title = Jan Koller - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 20 April 2023 | accessdate = 21 April 2023 | publisher = [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF.com]] | archive-date = 17 July 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240717184230/https://www.rsssf.org/players/kollerdata.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
In a surprising move, Koller signed with French side [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]] in 2006 but a two-season disappointing campaign, despite a decent scoring record, forced him to move back to Germany to play with [[1. FC Nürnberg]].<ref>{{cite web |date=6 January 2006 |title=Club vor Verpflichtung von Koller |trans-title=Club set to sign Koller |url=http://www.fcn.de/index.php?id=16280 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226134353/http://www.fcn.de/index.php?id=16280 |archive-date=26 February 2008 |access-date=5 March 2008 |work=fcn.de |language=de}}</ref> Unfortunately for Koller, who wasn't the only Czech in the team as he was partnered with [[Tomáš Galásek]] and [[Jaromír Blazek]], the Nürnberg-based club had performed poorly throughout the season and were relegated to [[2. Bundesliga]] at the end of the 2007–08 season. In 14 matches Bundesliga matches he netted twice for Nürnberg.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/kollerdata.html | title = Jan Koller - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 20 April 2023 | accessdate = 21 April 2023 | publisher = [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF.com]] | archive-date = 17 July 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240717184230/https://www.rsssf.org/players/kollerdata.html | url-status = live }}</ref>


===Later career===
===Later career===
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==International career==
==International career==
{{See also|List of international goals scored by Jan Koller}}
{{See also|List of international goals scored by Jan Koller}}
Koller made his debut for the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]] in a friendly away to [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] at the [[King Baudouin Stadium]] in [[Brussels]] on 9 February 1999, and netted the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Koller vyrovnal starý rekord Puče|url=https://www.idnes.cz/fotbal/prvni-liga/koller-vyrovnal-stary-rekord-puce.A050209_174026_fotbal_no|website=[[Mladá fronta Dnes]]|date=9 February 2005|access-date=18 May 2024|language=cs|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518144013/https://www.idnes.cz/fotbal/prvni-liga/koller-vyrovnal-stary-rekord-puce.A050209_174026_fotbal_no|url-status=live}}</ref>
Koller made his debut for the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]] in a friendly away to [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] at the [[King Baudouin Stadium]] in [[Brussels]] on 9 February 1999, and netted the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 February 2005 |title=Koller vyrovnal starý rekord Puče |trans-title=Koller equaled Puč's old record. |url=https://www.idnes.cz/fotbal/prvni-liga/koller-vyrovnal-stary-rekord-puce.A050209_174026_fotbal_no |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518144013/https://www.idnes.cz/fotbal/prvni-liga/koller-vyrovnal-stary-rekord-puce.A050209_174026_fotbal_no |archive-date=18 May 2024 |access-date=18 May 2024 |website=[[Mladá fronta Dnes]] |language=cs}}</ref> Koller became the all-time top scorer for the Czech Republic on 8 June 2005 following a match against [[Macedonia national football team|Macedonia]], in which he scored four goals in just 11 minutes of a 6–1 win, taking his international total to 39.<ref>{{cite web|title=Van Persie inspires Dutch victory|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/football/06/08/worldcup.czech/|website=[[CNN]]|date=8 June 2005|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=15 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915213214/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/football/06/08/worldcup.czech/|url-status=live}}</ref> In his third month with Nürnberg, Koller announced that he would retire from the Czech national team after [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skácel |first=Rudolf |date=2023-02-27 |title=32win |url=https://32win11.net/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=32win11.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Koller to quit Czechs after Euro finals|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/04/08/football.koller/index.html|website=[[CNN]]|date=8 April 2008|access-date=9 June 2008|archive-date=20 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620024336/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/04/08/football.koller/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, after losing a [[UEFA Euro 2008 Group A|Euro 2008 Group A]] match against [[Turkey national football team|Turkey]] 3–2, Koller eventually retired from international football.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Jan Koller definitivně skončil s reprezentací!|trans-title=Jan Koller has finally retired from the national team!|url=https://tn.nova.cz/sport/clanek/104306-jan-koller-definitivne-skoncil-s-reprezentaci|website=[[TV Nova (Czech Republic)|TV Nova Czech Republic]]|date=27 August 2008|access-date=18 May 2024|language=cs}}</ref> In July 2009, Koller announced that he would rejoin the national team because of poor results in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 3|2010 World Cup qualification]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 July 2009 |title=Vracím se do reprezentace, řekl Koller. Hrát chtějí i Jarošík, Jiránek a Kováč |trans-title="I'm returning to the national team, said Koller. Jarošík, Jiránek, and Kováč also want to play." |url=http://fotbal.idnes.cz/vracim-se-do-reprezentace-rekl-koller-hrat-chteji-i-jarosik-jiranek-a-kovac-1tp-/fot_reprez.aspx?c=A090719_212919_fot_reprez_ot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717184245/https://www.idnes.cz/fotbal/reprezentace/vracim-se-do-reprezentace-rekl-koller-hrat-chteji-i-jarosik-jiranek-a-kovac.A090719_212919_fot_reprez_ot |archive-date=17 July 2024 |access-date=29 December 2012 |website=Mladá fronta Dnes |publisher=Mafra |language=cs}}</ref>  
 
Koller became the all-time top scorer for the Czech Republic on 8 June 2005 following a match against [[Macedonia national football team|Macedonia]], in which he scored four goals in just 11 minutes of a 6–1 win, taking his international total to 39.<ref>{{cite web|title=Van Persie inspires Dutch victory|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/football/06/08/worldcup.czech/|website=[[CNN]]|date=8 June 2005|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=15 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915213214/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/football/06/08/worldcup.czech/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
In his third month with Nürnberg, Koller announced that he would retire from the Czech national team after [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Koller to quit Czechs after Euro finals|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/04/08/football.koller/index.html|website=[[CNN]]|date=8 April 2008|access-date=9 June 2008|archive-date=20 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620024336/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/04/08/football.koller/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, after losing a [[UEFA Euro 2008 Group A|Euro 2008 Group A]] match against [[Turkey national football team|Turkey]] 3–2, Koller eventually retired from international football.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Jan Koller definitivně skončil s reprezentací!|trans-title=Jan Koller has finally retired from the national team!|url=https://tn.nova.cz/sport/clanek/104306-jan-koller-definitivne-skoncil-s-reprezentaci|website=[[TV Nova (Czech Republic)|TV Nova Czech Republic]]|date=27 August 2008|access-date=18 May 2024|language=cs}}</ref>
 
In July 2009, Koller announced that he would rejoin the national team because of poor results in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 3|2010 World Cup qualification]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Vracím se do reprezentace, řekl Koller. Hrát chtějí i Jarošík, Jiránek a Kováč|url=http://fotbal.idnes.cz/vracim-se-do-reprezentace-rekl-koller-hrat-chteji-i-jarosik-jiranek-a-kovac-1tp-/fot_reprez.aspx?c=A090719_212919_fot_reprez_ot|website=Mladá fronta Dnes|publisher=Mafra|date=19 July 2009|access-date=29 December 2012|language=cs|archive-date=17 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717184245/https://www.idnes.cz/fotbal/reprezentace/vracim-se-do-reprezentace-rekl-koller-hrat-chteji-i-jarosik-jiranek-a-kovac.A090719_212919_fot_reprez_ot|url-status=live}}</ref> He played in the match against [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]], but announced his retirement from international football again on 6 September.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Richard|last=Bailey|title=Koller quits Czech squad|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/5542366/koller-quits-czech-squad|website=[[Sky Sports]]|date=9 September 2009|access-date=18 May 2024|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518144001/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/5542366/koller-quits-czech-squad|url-status=live}}</ref>


He played in the match against [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]], but announced his retirement from international football again on 6 September.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Richard|last=Bailey|title=Koller quits Czech squad|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/5542366/koller-quits-czech-squad|website=[[Sky Sports]]|date=9 September 2009|access-date=18 May 2024|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518144001/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/5542366/koller-quits-czech-squad|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Style of play ==
== Style of play ==
Koller was particularly noted for his height, strong physique and heading ability, being referred to as a "towering [[Forward (association football)|forward]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=347452.html|title=Czech lose two towers|work=[[UEFA]]|date=29 September 2005|access-date=24 February 2015|archive-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928010112/http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=347452.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="altezza">{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2000/giugno/13/Sua_altezza_Koller_farsi_valere_ga_0_00061310139.shtml|title=Sua altezza Koller sa farsi valere|trans-title=His highness Koller knows how to make himself count|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|author1=Sergio Di Cesare|author2=Marco Porro|author3=Fabio Bianchi|date=13 June 2000|access-date=29 March 2017|archive-date=17 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717184133/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2000/giugno/13/Sua_altezza_Koller_farsi_valere_ga_0_00061310139.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> and a "human lighthouse".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3522bdc6-fb42-11da-b4d0-0000779e2340.html#axzz3ShAiirU5|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210211214/https://www.ft.com/content/3522bdc6-fb42-11da-b4d0-0000779e2340#axzz3ShAiirU5|archive-date=10 December 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|title=Rosicky fires veterans to easy victory|work=FT.com|date=13 June 2006|access-date=24 February 2015}}</ref> Due to his stature, he was often nicknamed ''[[Dinosaur|Dino]]'' throughout his career.<ref name="best nicknames">{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2045764.html|title=European football's best nicknames|publisher=UEFA|date=27 January 2014|access-date=18 June 2017|archive-date=23 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723053954/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2045764.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Koller was particularly noted for his height, strong physique and heading ability, being referred to as a "towering [[Forward (association football)|forward]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=347452.html|title=Czech lose two towers|work=[[UEFA]]|date=29 September 2005|access-date=24 February 2015|archive-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928010112/http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=347452.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="altezza">{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2000/giugno/13/Sua_altezza_Koller_farsi_valere_ga_0_00061310139.shtml|title=Sua altezza Koller sa farsi valere|trans-title=His highness Koller knows how to make himself count|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|author1=Sergio Di Cesare|author2=Marco Porro|author3=Fabio Bianchi|date=13 June 2000|access-date=29 March 2017|archive-date=17 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717184133/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2000/giugno/13/Sua_altezza_Koller_farsi_valere_ga_0_00061310139.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> and a "human lighthouse".<ref>{{cite web |date=13 June 2006 |title=Rosicky fires veterans to easy victory |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3522bdc6-fb42-11da-b4d0-0000779e2340.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210211214/https://www.ft.com/content/3522bdc6-fb42-11da-b4d0-0000779e2340 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |access-date=24 February 2015 |work=FT.com}}</ref> Due to his stature, he was often nicknamed ''[[Dinosaur|Dino]]'' throughout his career.<ref name="best nicknames">{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2045764.html|title=European football's best nicknames|publisher=UEFA|date=27 January 2014|access-date=18 June 2017|archive-date=23 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723053954/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2045764.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Career statistics==
==Career statistics==

Revision as of 13:55, 7 June 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "For". Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Jan Koller (Script error: No such module "IPA".; born 30 March 1973) is a Czech former professional footballer who played as a forward. He was noted for his height, strong physique and heading ability.

He began his career at Sparta Prague, then moved to Belgium, where he became the Belgian First Division top scorer with Lokeren. He won the league championship twice with Anderlecht and the Belgian Golden Shoe. In 2001, he joined Borussia Dortmund, where he won the Bundesliga title in his first season and scored 73 goals in 167 official games over five campaigns. He moved frequently in his later career, with stops in France, Germany and Russia.

Koller is the all-time top scorer for the Czech Republic national team, with 55 goals in 91 appearances in a decade-long career starting in 1999. He represented the nation at three UEFA European Championships and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Early career

Koller started his football training as a goalkeeper,[1] but was converted to striker by the time he started his professional career with Czech club Sparta Prague. He made his début for Sparta in the spring of 1995 in a match against Benešov, coming on as a substitute with 20 minutes of the game remaining.[2] In 1996, Koller caught the eye of Belgian football and signed with the club Lokeren for a fee equivalent to €102,000.[1]

Anderlecht

After a successful three-year stint, in which he managed to finish as Belgian First Division top-scorer in his last season at Lokeren, Koller was signed by Belgian club Anderlecht. He quickly built up a successful partnership with Canadian striker Tomasz Radzinski, excelling in his debut season and earning him the Belgian Golden Shoe in 2000. At the end of the season, he was bought by German side Borussia Dortmund after turning down English side Fulham.[3]

Borussia Dortmund

File:JanKoller.jpg
Koller with Borussia Dortmund in 2006

While Koller was at Dortmund, the club won the 2001–02 Bundesliga, thanks in part to Koller's 11 league goals. Besides the Bundesliga title his biggest success whilst at Dortmund was helping them to the 2002 UEFA Cup Final, where his goal could not prevent them losing 3–2 to Feyenoord.

His training as a goalkeeper saw some use in the 2002–03 season. In a Bundesliga match against Bayern Munich, Dortmund's goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off in the second half for a second yellow card,[4] and Dortmund had already used their three substitutions. Koller, who had already opened the scoring in the 8th minute, moved from striker to goalkeeper after 67 minutes of the match. He prevented any more goals for the rest of the match, despite Dortmund having been reduced to nine players due to the earlier expulsion of Torsten Frings.[5] Koller was named by kicker as the Bundesliga's top goalkeeper of the week for his performance.[6][7]

Monaco and Nürnberg

In a surprising move, Koller signed with French side Monaco in 2006 but a two-season disappointing campaign, despite a decent scoring record, forced him to move back to Germany to play with 1. FC Nürnberg.[8] Unfortunately for Koller, who wasn't the only Czech in the team as he was partnered with Tomáš Galásek and Jaromír Blazek, the Nürnberg-based club had performed poorly throughout the season and were relegated to 2. Bundesliga at the end of the 2007–08 season. In 14 matches Bundesliga matches he netted twice for Nürnberg.[9]

Later career

File:Jan Koller.jpg
Koller playing for Krylia Sovetov in 2009

On 23 June 2008, Koller was transferred to Russian club Krylia Sovetov Samara in a deal worth €1 million.[10] On 5 December 2009, Koller returned to France, joining Championnat National team Cannes, with a contract until June 2011.[11] Koller announced his retirement from football in August 2011 after a series of injuries.[1]

International career

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Koller made his debut for the Czech Republic in a friendly away to Belgium at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on 9 February 1999, and netted the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute.[12] Koller became the all-time top scorer for the Czech Republic on 8 June 2005 following a match against Macedonia, in which he scored four goals in just 11 minutes of a 6–1 win, taking his international total to 39.[13] In his third month with Nürnberg, Koller announced that he would retire from the Czech national team after Euro 2008.[14][15] However, after losing a Euro 2008 Group A match against Turkey 3–2, Koller eventually retired from international football.[16] In July 2009, Koller announced that he would rejoin the national team because of poor results in the 2010 World Cup qualification.[17]

He played in the match against Slovakia, but announced his retirement from international football again on 6 September.[18]

Style of play

Koller was particularly noted for his height, strong physique and heading ability, being referred to as a "towering forward"[19][20] and a "human lighthouse".[21] Due to his stature, he was often nicknamed Dino throughout his career.[22]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />Ref.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sparta Prague 1994–95 Czech First League 6 1 0 0 — — 6 1
1995–96 Czech First League 23 4 0 0 — 7 1 30 5
Total 29 5 0 0 0 0 7 1 36 6 –
Lokeren 1996–97 Belgian First Division 31 8 — — — 31 8
1997–98 Belgian First Division 33 11 — — — 33 11
1998–99 Belgian First Division 33 24 5 3 — — 38 27
Total 97 43 5 3 0 0 0 0 102 46 –
Anderlecht 1999–2000 Belgian First Division 33 20 12 10 — 4 3 49 33
2000–01 Belgian First Division 32 22 5 2 — 16 7 53 31
Total 65 42 17 12 0 0 20 10 102 64 –
Borussia Dortmund 2001–02 Bundesliga 33 11 1 0 1 0 14 6 49 17 [23]
2002–03 Bundesliga 34 13 1 1 1 0 12 8 48 22 [23]
2003–04 Bundesliga 32 16 2 1 3 2 5 0 42 19 [23]
2004–05 Bundesliga 30 15 3 1 0 0 — 33 16 [23]
2005–06 Bundesliga 9 4 1 1 0 0 2 0 12 5 [23]
Total 138 59 8 4 5 2 31 14 182 79 –
Monaco 2006–07 Ligue 1 32 8 1 0 2 0 — 35 8 [23]
2007–08 Ligue 1 18 4 0 0 1 0 — 19 4 [23]
Total 50 12 1 0 3 0 0 0 54 12 –
1. FC Nürnberg 2007–08 Bundesliga 14 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 16 2 [23]
Krylia Sovetov Samara 2008 Russian Premier League 18 7 — — 18 7 [23]
2009 Russian Premier League 28 9 — — 28 9 [23]
Total 46 16 0 0 0 0 46 16 –
Cannes 2009–10 Championnat National 15 4 0 0 — — 15 4 [24]
2010–11 Championnat National 29 16 2 0 — — 31 16 [24]
Total 44 20 2 0 0 0 0 0 46 20 –
Career total 483 199 33 19 8 2 62 25 586 245 –

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[25]
National team Year Apps Goals
Czech Republic 1999 10 9
2000 11 6
2001 7 0
2002 9 5
2003 9 7
2004 14 6
2005 6 7
2006 8 7
2007 9 4
2008 7 4
2009 1 0
Total 91 55

Honours

Sparta Prague

Anderlecht

Borussia Dortmund

Individual

References

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External links

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