Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has died aged 64 after a battle with cancer, the club has announced.
The Czech goalkeeper made 373 appearances for the Hammers between 1990 and 1997 and remained a much-loved figure among supporters, who knew him as ‘Ludo’.
West Ham said: “The giant goalkeeper will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the West Ham family.” The club also extended its condolences to Miklosko’s family and loved ones.
Miklosko’s final visit to the London Stadium came in December 2024, when he was Guest of Honour for the match against Liverpool after confirming his cancer diagnosis. Since then, West Ham fans have regularly sung the chant: “My name is Ludek Miklosko, I come from near Moscow, I play in goal for West Ham.”
He won two promotions with the club and helped them reach the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and League Cup. In 1995, Miklosko produced a man-of-the-match display against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, preventing them from winning the Premier League that year.
The ‘gentle giant’ also played for Queens Park Rangers and won two caps for his country. Before moving to English football, he represented Hvezda Cheb and Banik Ostrava in his homeland, later heading the sports department at Banik Ostrava.
Tributes paid to Ludek Miklosko
Former West Ham team-mate Julian Dicks paid tribute on X, writing: “Very sad news today, the passing of Ludo, I will see you again one day my friend. Plus don’t forget to have a Czech Bud waiting for me.”
David Trunda, head of the Czech football association, described Miklosko as “one of the prominent figures of Czech football”.
“Ludek Miklosko has significantly inscribed himself into its history with his performances as well as his approach to football, earning respect not only in the Czech Republic but also abroad,” Trunda said.
He added: “His name will forever be associated with a significant era of Czech football and with the values that he represented as both a player and a person.”
Talksport broadcaster Ian Abrahams described Miklosko as “a gentle giant” and “a phenomenal goalkeeper”, adding that he had been “a great gentleman”.
Miklosko underwent an operation to remove a lump on his hip in 2021, but another tumour later developed in his stomach. He chose not to undergo chemotherapy.
“I decided not to undergo chemotherapy because I want to live a normal life,” Miklosko said. “I have great people around me, I have my job and football, which is my life. Everything I know. I want to continue doing it as long as I can.”
