Manchester United have completed the sale of goalkeeper Radek Vitek to Championship side Middlesbrough. The deal could be worth up to £14 million, which would set a new record for a goalkeeper in the Championship.
Vitek's departure and United's clauses
Vitek had been tipped to leave Old Trafford this summer after falling down the pecking order following the arrival of Karl Darlow on a free transfer. Senne Lammens remains United's first-choice goalkeeper for the new season.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United did not want to block Vitek's exit, but INEOS insisted on favourable clauses in the deal. These include a buy-back clause, matching rights, and a 35 per cent sell-on clause to profit from any future sale.
Vitek's desire for first-team football
Vitek made it clear from the start of the summer that he wanted to leave in search of regular first-team minutes. He did not want to accept a back-up role behind Lammens and Darlow.
Speaking after United's opening pre-season fixture against Wrexham, Vitek said: "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."
Vitek's career path
Vitek joined United's academy in 2020 from Czech club Sigma Olomouc. He featured in every match during the 2021/22 FA Youth Cup run before progressing to the Under-21 squad.
He had three previous loan spells: at Accrington Stanley in January 2024, at Austrian side Blau-Weiss Linz for 2024/25, and at Bristol City last season, where he gained valuable Championship experience. Now at Middlesbrough, he will aim to help the club win promotion after their play-off final defeat to Hull City.
