Erik Jendrišek

Erik Jendrišek (born 26 October 1986) is a Slovak footballer who plays as a defender for Stará Ľubovňa.

Germany
In summer 2006, Jendrišek was signed by Hannover 96 on a season-long loan deal with the option of a permanent deal at the end of the season.

On 30 May 2007, Jendrišek moved to 1. FC Kaiserslautern on a three-year contract. However, he was temporarily suspended by then-coach Milan Šašić over lack of discipline. Rather than accepting a fine and returning to first-team action, Jendrišek chose to play for the club's reserve team, where he played four fourth division games during March and April 2008. He later apologised and accepted the fine.

On 29 April 2010, Jendrišek moved to Schalke 04 on a three-year contract. On 19 January 2011, he left the club for fellow Bundesliga team SC Freiburg for €900,000.

Spartak Trnava
On 18 August 2014, he signed with Spartak Trnava on a year contract.

Xanthi
On 26 June 2017, he signed a two-year contract with Greek Super League club Xanthi, on a free transfer again. On 26 August 2017 he scored his first goal with the club in a 2–0 away win against Platanias and on 19 November was scored a brace in the 900th game of his club in Super League sealing a 2–0 home win game against rivals Panionios.

On 13 January 2018, Jendrišek scoring a brace in a 3–2 home win game against Platanias. It was his second time that he scored a brace in Super League after the 2–0 home win game against Panionios. On 15 April 2018, Jendrišek scoring a brace in a 3–0 home win game against PAS Giannina. It was his third time that he scored a brace in Super League after the 3–2 home win game against Platanias. On 23 September 2018, he scored another brace in a 3–0 home victory against OFI, his first for the 2018–19 season, helping his club to acquire his first win for the season. On 21 October 2018, he recorded a goal and an assist in a 2–1 away victory against Levadiakos. One week later, he scored sealing a comeback 2–1 home victory against PAS Giannina.

On 5 November 2018, he scored in a 1–0 away win against Asteras Tripoli, the club's fourth consecutive, after a low cross from Petar Đuričković.

On 21 April 2019, he scored after five months and helped his team take a 2–0 home win against Apollon Smyrni to secure their spot in the top league.

Volos
On 14 June 2019, Jendrišek agreed to join newly promoted side Volos on a two-year deal. Four days later, the team officially announced his acquisition. On 31 August 2019, he scored his first goal in a 1–0 home victory against Aris. On 9 November 2019, he scored in a much-needed 3–2 home win against Panetolikos.

On 11 January 2020, Jendrišek scored in a 3–1 home loss against his old club, Xanthi. The same year on 1 March, he scored in a 4–1 away loss against Panathinaikos.

In October 2020, Jendrišek had suffered a nerve-affecting cervical spinal injury that had initially threatened his career, causing unbearable pain.

Retirement
On 26 January 2024, Jendrišek announced his retirement from professional football.

International career
Jendrišek has been capped for the Slovakia national under-21 team before debuting for the country's senior national team on 11 October 2008 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against San Marino.

On 11 February 2009, Jendrišek scored his first senior international goal in a friendly match against Cyprus, netting the second goal in Slovakia's 3–2 defeat. On 1 April, he scored his first competitive international goal at senior level, netting the decisive second goal in Slovakia's 2–1 away victory against the Czech Republic in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.

In the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, Jendrišek featured in all three of Slovakia's group stage matches.

International

 * Scores and results list Slovakia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Jendrišek goal.

Honours
Individual
 * Slovak Super Liga Player of the Month: September 2021