Manchester United have confirmed that goalkeeper Radek Vitek has joined Middlesbrough on a permanent transfer in a deal worth up to £14million.
Record Championship signing
Vitek has become the record goalkeeper signing in the Championship, surpassing Leicester City's signing of Mads Hermansen (around £6.5m) and Southampton's of Daniel Peretz (£6.05m).
United have inserted a buy-back clause into the deal, along with matching rights and a 35 per cent sell-on clause to profit from any potential future sale.
Vitek's desire to be number one
Vitek made it clear from the beginning of the summer that he wanted to leave to be a regular starter. United did not want to stand in the goalkeeper's way but insisted on inserting favourable clauses into the deal.
Senne Lammens is United's first-choice goalkeeper, and Karl Dalow was signed this summer to be the second choice. Vitek was not prepared to settle for a No.2 role.
Speaking after United's opening pre-season game of the summer against Wrexham, Vitek stopped for reporters before wasting no time in outlining his desire to be a first-choice goalkeeper.
"I feel great and ready to go again somewhere to be, hopefully, number one, so we will see. We will see what is going to happen," he said.
Career path
Vitek had already left United on loan three times, and a permanent move to Middlesbrough, who came close to securing promotion to the Premier League last season, provides a chance for him to kick on in his career.
The goalkeeper joined United's academy in 2020 from Czech club Sigma Olomouc. Vitek started every game in the successful 2021/22 FA Youth Cup campaign before stepping up to play for the Under-21s.
The 6ft 6in stopper joined Accrington Stanley on a six-month loan in January 2024. He subsequently joined Austrian club Blau-Weiß Linz on a season-long deal for 2024/25, which was another successful stint away from Old Trafford.
Vitek gained crucial Championship experience on loan at Bristol City last term, generating interest from clubs in the division.
