Manchester United loanee Radek Vitek has completed his season out on loan in Austria.
One of Manchester United’s most promising young players is celebrating the end of his first full season-long loan.
Radek Vitek signed for Austrian Bundesliga club Blau Linz during the summer transfer window, spending 2024/25 on loan at the club.
Vitek had previously spent half a season on loan at Accrington Stanley in League Two in 2023/24.
The young goalkeeper won the FA Youth Cup with Manchester United in 2022, in the same squad as Kobbie Mainoo, and has featured in first team training and matchday squads.
Photo by Severin Aichbauer/SEPA.Media /Getty Images
Photo by Severin Aichbauer/SEPA.Media /Getty Images
Radek Vitek proud of his impact at Blau Linz
Radek Vitek has been a first team regular for Blau Linz ever since he joined the club, and he has impressed with his performances, earning man of the match awards in the process.
Blau Linz finished a creditable sixth place in the Austrian Bundesliga, above United’s former Europa League opponents LASK.
Vitek has said his farewell to LASK, sending a message on social media, hailing a special season. His full words are below, where he describes his team’s league placing as ‘something amazing’.
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“To everyone at BW Linz, what a season it’s been.
“I’m truly grateful for the chance to represent this club — playing in front of such passionate supporters was something special. Every match, every moment meant a lot, and hearing your voices from the stands is something I’ll never forget.
“Together, we achieved something amazing — derby dominance with 2/2 clean sheets, and a historic top 6 finish in only the club’s second Bundesliga season. It’s been an honor to be part of that journey.
“Thanks for all the memories — I’ll carry them with me.
“BW Linz will always have a place in my heart.”
Radek Vitek has a chance to make an impact
Radek Vitek was outstanding on loan for Manchester United in the one pre-season game he played last season, against Rosenborg. Vitek was voted man of the match by United fans.
He continued to impress during his loan spell at Blau Linz, where he played 28 games and kept clean sheets in 25 percent of them, seven matches in total.
Vitek only made one error leading to a goal, in comparison to the five errors Andre Onana made for Manchester United this past season.
Radek Vitek infographic
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Vitek is a potential solution for Manchester United in goal next season, amid questions over the futures of both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.
As with the rest of United’s loanees, Vitek has not been included on the club’s postseason tour, but he will be desperate for a chance to impress in pre-season.
The challenge for United is that Vitek has shown this season he is good enough to be playing regularly, somewhere.
And similar to cashing in on Matej Kovar, United could decide to sell Vitek to raise funds, or loan him out again, if he is not number one, rather than keep him on the bench as a backup.