Radek Vitek has joined Middlesbrough from Manchester United (Image: MFC)
Radek Vitek has joined Middlesbrough from Manchester United (Image: MFC)
MIDDLESBROUGH have completed the signing of Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek from Manchester United.
Vitek, who spent last season on loan at Bristol City, moves to the Riverside for an initial fee of £7m, with additional add-ons also included as part of the deal.
The 22-year-old will compete with Sol Brynn for the number one jersey on Teesside, with Seny Dieng expected to move on before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
"It feels great to be here," said Vitek, who was the subject of interest from a number of Championship clubs this summer. "This is a new challenge for me and I’m really excited to be a Boro player.
"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."
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A Czech youth international, Vitek joined Manchester United from Sigma Olomouc in 2020 and progressed through the ranks at Old Trafford.
An FA Youth Cup winner during his time as a Manchester United player, Vitek also represented the club's senior side in a number of pre-season friendlies.
He was voted Bristol City's Player of the Season last year after his successful spell at Ashton Gate and has also had loan periods at Accrington Stanley and Austrian side Blau-Weiss Linz.
"The mission is clear," added Vitek. "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 is Boro's seventh summer signing following the additions of Myles Peart-Harris, Kyle Joseph, Will Lankshear, Sebastian Berhalter, Max Arfsten and Jeremy Sarmiento, whose initial loan move from Brighton was turned into a permanent transfer at the start of the summer.