Ján Mucha

Ján Mucha is a Slovak goalkeeper of Russian side Krylia Sovetov and the national team. He was born in Belá nad Cirochou, Czechoslovakia.

Ján began to play football in the TJ Slovan Belá nad Cirochou and MŠK Snina academies, which were located in his native town. In 1997 he moved to the Inter Bratislava youth system and spent three years there before starting the professional career. In 2000 Mucha joined the first team of Inter, but did not take part in any matches during two years.

In 2002 the footballer made his official début, though as a player of MŠK Žilina. He made eight appearances for the new team during his first season. Mucha played 24 games during two following seasons (12 matches each season). In total, the goalkeeper took part in 32 games of Žilina, became twice Slovakia champion and picked up the silver medal of the national league one time. Besides, Ján and his teammates lifted the Slovak Super Cup and the keeper participated in Euro Cup matches of his club.

In July 2005 Mucha’s contract with Žilina ended and he moved to Poland, signing for Warsaw side Legia. On 20 September, the footballer made his début for the new club in the Polish Cup match against KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. He did not make appearances in the Ekstraklasa (Polish Top Division), but became the champion of Poland with his team that season.

Ján waited for his league début for 14 months. He managed to take the place between the posts only in the 7th round of the Ekstraklasa 2006/2007. Legia Warszawa hammered Wisła Płock 5-0 in the home match and the Slovak keeper kept the clean sheet in that game, confidently substituting main goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański. He made another six appearances during that season and picked up the bronze medal of the league. Łukasz Fabiański left for Arsenal in the summer 2007 and Mucha became a first-choice keeper of his team.

In 2007/2008 the goalkeeper took part in 29 matches of his club and took second place in the Ekstraklasa, but lifted the Polish Cup and the Polish SuperCup. The following season he repeated the previous result, making 29 appearances and becoming a runner-up. However, Ján was voted the best keeper of the league and included in the nominal Ekstraklassa All-Stars.

On 24 January 2010, Mucha signed for English side Everton on a free transfer. However, he only managed to feature in two games of the Toffees during three seasons and moved to a Russian Premier League side Krylia Sovetov in the summer 2013.

Ján was capped for the Slovakia national team at different international levels. On 6 February 2008, he made his full squad début, coming as a substitute in the friendly match against Hungary. Mucha conceded one goal and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

On 1 April 2009, the Slovak footballer made his start in the 2010 World Cup qualifying match against the Czech Republic national team in Prague. Slovakia unexpectedly won their opponents (2-1) and Ján showed a confident play between the posts, saving his national team several times. The same year the goalkeeper made another two starts in the qualifying matches. On 5 September he came on the pitch in the return leg against the Czech Republic (2:2) and on 9 September Mucha helped his squad in a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland. After the successful qualification, Ján and his teammates made their way through to the World Cup group stage for the first time in history.

The keeper took part in all games during Mundial and the Slovakia national squad managed to proceed to the Round of 16, where they lost 2-1 to the Netherlands. That way, Ján has four appearances in the 2010 World Cup.