Radek Vitek started Bristol City's pre-season win over Real Valladolid after joining the Reds on loan from Manchester United
13:45, 04 Aug 2025
Radek Vitek has joined Bristol City on loan from Manchester United(Image: Rogan/ Bristol City)
Gerhard Struber has explained that Radek Vitek will bring “different” strengths to Bristol City’s goalkeeping department, after the Manchester United stopper completed his loan move to Ashton Gate last week.
The Robins confirmed the arrival of the 21-year-old goalkeeper on a season-long loan following their pre-season win over Plymouth Argyle. Vitek had been spotted in City training kit during the clash with the Pilgrims, however paperwork surrounding the deal wasn’t completed in time for him to take part in the friendly with Tom Cleverley’s side.
The United loanee was able to start and play the full 90 minutes against Real Valladolid, though, in the Reds’ final game of pre-season at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon. Although the Spanish second-tier side didn’t ask too many questions of the Robins’ new stopper as they were beaten 4-0, Vitek made an instant impression in the first half when he saved Marcos Andre’s penalty.
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City’s plan had originally been to start the season with fellow summer signing Joe Lumley between the posts after Max O’Leary sustained an ankle injury. Instead, Struber and the recruitment team have opted to add more competition between the posts, and the Robins boss has been impressed by what he’s seen from his new stopper so far.
“I think we have, of course, right now a great goalkeeping, coaching team that can do it on a very, very good level,” the head coach told Bristol Live after Saturday’s win. “Radek, I would say, gives us also, in this direction, a little bit of a different strength.
“I am very, very excited to have him here, and also today, he showed us, in many moments, how important he can be for this team.”
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As he did for the friendly against Argyle, Struber named an incredibly strong side against Valladolid on Saturday afternoon. The back three ahead of Vitek was made up of George Tanner, Zak Vyner, and Rob Atkinson. Yu Hirakawa and Ross McCrorie started as wing-backs on either side of Jason Knight and Adam Randell, while Anis Mehmeti and Scott Twine flanked Emil Riis as the sole striker.
While changes were made in the second half, the bulk of the team remained the same for the majority of the contest, with a McCrorie brace and a goal apiece from Randell and Riis ensuring the Robins came out on top.
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The expectation of most supporters has been that the team that started against the Spanish opposition will be similar to the one that takes to the field against Sheffield United for Saturday’s season opener. Although Struber admits the win and performance in BS3 will have made his decision-making process easier, he is adamant that nothing is decided in terms of team selection at this stage.
“No,” the City boss simply replied when asked if he’d be looking to play the same personnel at Bramall Lane. “I think it’s important that it’s a different opponent next week.
“We have a completely different game. It’s a Championship [game], and today I want to see something from the boys, a little bit of different players playing together. We will see what is the best starting 11, with one more week of training, against Sheffield United.
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“Everything is open, of course, but my picture is better.”
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