Vladimir Coufal

Czech right-back who overcame rejection from Baník Ostrava for being 'too small' to become a consistent Premier League performer. Made 180 appearances for West Ham United over five years and won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023. Has 61 caps for Czechia.

Coufal was released by Baník Ostrava at 17 and worked his way up from the Czech lower divisions, becoming club captain at Slovan Liberec. He joined Slavia Prague in 2018, where he won three consecutive Czech First League titles. In October 2020 he moved to West Ham United for £5.4 million, reuniting with fellow Czech Tomáš Souček.

After five years and 180 appearances at West Ham — including winning the Europa Conference League — he signed for TSG Hoffenheim as a free agent in August 2025. He has 61 caps and 2 goals for the Czech Republic.