Marek Heinz

Marek Heinz (born 4 August 1977) is a Czech football striker who plays for HFK Olomouc.

Early career

Heinz started his football career in his native Czech Republic, where he played for Lázně Bohdaneč and Sigma Olomouc before moving to Germany in 2000.

Germany and international call-up

Heinz headed to German side Hamburg in 2000, the same year making his first appearance for the senior team of the Czech Republic. A surplus to requirement under Kurt Jara mid-way through the 2002–03 season he joined Arminia Bielefeld for the remainder of the campaign. Heinz could not make himself a regular at Bielefeld, watching his side slumping to relegation from the Bundesliga. Having not been signed by Bielefeld and released by Hamburg, he returned to the Czech Republic in 2003.

Return to the Czech Republic and Euro 2004

Baník Ostrava signed Heinz in 2003 and the player enjoyed a fantastic run during 2003–04, leading Baník to the Czech title and ending up as top scorer of the Czech league himself, scoring 19 goals. He went on to play in Euro 2004, where the Czech Republic reached the semi-finals.

Back to Germany

Heinz moved back to Germany when Borussia Mönchengladbach signed him in August 2004, but he only stayed at Mönchengladbach for just over a year, as he headed to Turkish side Galatasaray SK in 2005.

In 2005, Heinz scored two crucial goals for his country and club. He first helped Galatasaray to a 4–1 win over rivals Trabzonspor in October, before he scored the all-important third goal against Finland which sent the Czechs into the 2006 World Cup held in Germany.

France

In September 2006, he signed a one-year contract with French side AS Saint-Étienne after being released by Galatasaray, hoping to finally making an impact at club level outside the Czech Republic. In August 2007, he signed with FC Nantes. On 30 September 2008, he moved to 1. FC Brno. After only one season Heinz left Brno, and on 29 June 2009 it was announced that he signed a one-year contract with Kapfenberger SV.

Return to Olomouc

Heinz returned to Olomouc in 2011, signing a two-year contract with the club. Despite playing 20 matches in his first season, Heinz played just seventeen minutes in one substitute appearance in the first half of his second season. In November 2012 manager Roman Pivarník announced Heinz was surplus to requirements and free to find another club. He joined second league 1. SC Znojmo on loan in January 2013 for the rest of the season.