MIDDLESBROUGH have completed the signing of Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek - who has become the club's seventh summer window arrival.
The 22-year-old, who heads to Teesside on the back of an outstanding loan season at Bristol City last term, has joined for an undisclosed fee.
Reports suggest Boro have paid an up-front fee of £7million for Vitek, with a potential further £7m in add-ons included in the deal.
A buy-back clause has been included in Vitek deal by United, alongside a 35 per cent sell-on clause, according to reports.
Manchester United keeper Radek Vítek has completed his move to Middlesbrough.placeholder image
Manchester United keeper Radek Vítek has completed his move to Middlesbrough.
The ambitious Teessiders, who progressed into round two of the Carabao Cup on Friday night thanks to a 1-0 win over Wrexham - with £10m signing Will Lankshear scoring on his competitive debut - are expected to follow Vitek's arrival with the addition of Tottenham Hotspur centre-half Ashley Phillips for another significant fee.
A Czech youth international, Vitek joined United from Sigma Olomouc in 2020 and progressed through the ranks at Old Trafford.
After completing his move to Boro, Vitek said: “It feels great to be here.
“This is a new challenge for me and I’m really excited to be a Boro player.
DEBUT DELIGHT: Middlesbrough's Will Lankshear celebrates scoring what proved to be the winning goal against Wrexham at the Riverside Stadium Picture: Richard Sellers/PA.placeholder image
DEBUT DELIGHT: Middlesbrough's Will Lankshear celebrates scoring what proved to be the winning goal against Wrexham at the Riverside Stadium Picture: Richard Sellers/PA.
“The project here is very impressive, because you can clearly see the ambition and where the club wants to go.
“I’m delighted to now be part of that.
“The mission is clear: to go to the Premier League.
“I think everyone at the club has that mindset, and I want the same thing. Now I just can’t wait to get started.”
Vitek's signing follows on from the captures of Jeremy Sarmiento, Myles Peart-Harris, Kyle Joseph, Lankshear, Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten.
Meanwhile, Boro head coach Kim Hellberg has revealed his delight at the instant impact of big-money arrival Lankshear following his fine debut goal to sink Wrexham at the Riverside.
Lankshear joined Boro in a deal that could eventually be worth up to £20m if all the additional add-ons are hit.
Hellberg said: “He (Lankshear) was very impressive, and the most impressive thing has been seeing how well he has worked on the training ground. How hard he works on the training ground and how much he wants to learn.
“It’s a joy to watch, and when you add the person he is to the quality he has as a footballer on the pitch, you have a very good striker. I’m happy to have him here.”