Club news

2017/18 Player Focus: Jiri Skalak

By Kieran Cleeves • 08 June 2018

Despite making 31 league appearances in Brighton & Hove Albion’s promotion-winning campaign in 2016/17, the Czech winger was unable to force his way into Chris Hughton’s team in the Premier League.

However, Skalak did feature twice in the Carabao Cup and once in the Emirates FA Cup, as the Seagulls reached the third round and quarter-final of the respective competitions.

The 26-year-old played 90 minutes in Albion’s 1-0 victory over Barnet at the Amex Stadium, before lining up for the Seagulls in their extra-time Carabao Cup defeat to AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Skalak had to wait until January for his next first-team appearance, and although the Seagulls sealed a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, the winger suffered an injury midway through the game at the Riverside Stadium.

Six more appearances came throughout the season for Albion’s under-23s, as Skalak helped Simon Rusk’s team to three draws and one victory in the Premier League 2 Division 2.

Skalak also featured twice in the Premier League Cup, scoring on both occasions against Sunderland and Everton at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre.