Middlesbrough strengthen goalkeeping options
Middlesbrough have announced the signing of goalkeeper Radek Vitek from Manchester United, bolstering their squad for the upcoming season. Vitek’s move to the Championship club is a permanent switch, reportedly valued at up to £14m. This fee is understood to be a record for a goalkeeper in the Championship. The transfer agreement also includes a 35% sell-on clause for Manchester United, along with matching rights for future bids and a buy-back option.
Vitek expressed his enthusiasm about joining Middlesbrough, stating that it feels great to be at the club. He described it as a new challenge and highlighted the impressive project and clear ambition of the club. He conveyed his delight at becoming part of their future aspirations.
Vitek’s recent performance and impact
The transfer follows Vitek’s successful loan spell last season with Bristol City, where he made 41 league appearances and kept 12 clean sheets. His contributions helped Bristol City secure a 12th-place finish in the second tier. Only a few other goalkeepers in the division, including Carl Rushworth (17), Christian Walton (16), Ivor Pandur, and Sol Brynn (both 14), recorded more shutouts during the same period. Vitek is now hoping to assist his new team in their pursuit of promotion.
During the previous season, Vitek made 134 saves, which was the fourth-highest in the Championship. His save percentage of 70.97% also ranked as the fourth-best among goalkeepers who played more than 25 games. Furthermore, excluding penalties and own goals, Vitek conceded only 50 goals from 58.7 expected goals on target (xGoT) faced, indicating that he prevented 8.7 goals.
Vitek joined Manchester United as a teenager in 2020 but has spent the last two-and-a-half seasons out on loan, seeking regular playing time. His intention to find consistent game time was made clear at the beginning of the summer.
Middlesbrough’s summer signings
Vitek’s arrival marks the seventh signing for Middlesbrough this summer. He joins a list of new recruits that includes Jeremy Sarmiento, Myles Peart-Harris, Kyle Joseph, Will Lankshear, Sebastian Berhalter, and Max Arfsten. The club has been active in strengthening its squad ahead of the new campaign.
The signing comes shortly after Middlesbrough commenced their domestic season with a 1-0 victory over Wrexham in the first round of the EFL Cup. Will Lankshear scored the only goal in that match at the Riverside Stadium.
Meanwhile, Manchester United has also been active in the transfer market, with manager keen to both bolster and streamline the squad. Recent acquisitions for United include Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans, whose £35million release clause from Aston Villa was triggered. Departures from United have included Rasmus Hojlund, who joined Napoli after a loan spell, and players like Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia, and Jadon Sancho, whose contracts expired. Additionally, Altay Bayindir has moved to Celta Vigo on loan for the season, with an option for the Liga side to make the move permanent for around £3.5m.
Vitek is now set to undergo a medical as part of the finalisation of his transfer to Middlesbrough.
Source: beinsports.com