Sparta sign Vachoušek ahead of Champions League play-off against Žilina

Sparta Prague have signed Štěpán Vachoušek from Teplice on a six-month loan deal in a bid to bolster their midfield ahead of a meeting with Slovakia’s Žilina in the final round of qualification for the lucrative Champions League. He will be able to stand in for playmaker Marek Matějovský, who was sent off in the last round and will miss both legs of the tie, the first of which takes place in Prague next Tuesday. Vachoušek, who is 31, made 23 appearances for the Czech national side.