Chelsea keeper Petr Cech won the Golden Ball award as the Czech Republic's player of the season on Tuesday, beating five-times winner Pavel Nedved of Italian champions Juventus.

The 23-year-old, who becomes the first keeper to win the award, played a key role in helping Chelsea secure their first league title for 50 years and reach the Champions League semi-finals.

He has also performed well at international level in the Czech bid to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. They trail Group One leaders Netherlands by one point after seven wins and one defeat.

Striker Milan Baros of Premier League rivals and European champions Liverpool came third, followed by Borussia Dortmund striker Jan Koller, the national team's all-time top scorer.