Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has died

Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has died at the age of 64 following a battle with cancer.

West Ham United announced the former goalkeeper’s death in a post on X on Monday morning, paying tribute to a player who enjoyed a long period of success with the club.

Miklosko, who joined West Ham from Czech club Banik Ostrava, made almost 400 appearances for the London club between 1990 and 1998.

During his eight years at the club, the goalkeeper became an important figure between the posts and played a key role in West Ham’s promotion campaigns.

Miklosko helped the club gain promotion to the English top flight in 1991 and again in 1993, contributing to the team’s return to the top level of English football.

Miklosko’s battle with cancer

The former goalkeeper was diagnosed with cancer in 2021 and later revealed in 2024 that he had decided to withdraw from further cancer treatment.

Despite his health battle, Miklosko remained a respected figure among West Ham fans, and his contribution to the club is remembered fondly.

His death sparked tributes from the football community, particularly West Ham, where he spent most of his playing career.

Miklosko’s legacy at West Ham

Miklosko’s career at West Ham spanned almost a decade, during which he established himself as one of the club’s most important goalkeepers.

His two promotional successes remain among the standout successes of his time at the club, while his almost 400 appearances underline his importance to West Ham in the 1990s.

Miklosko’s death at the age of 64 brings to an end the life of a goalkeeper whose career was closely linked to West Ham and Czech football.