Radek Vitek joins Middlesbrough in a permanent deal from Manchester United
Radek Vitek signs for Middlesbrough from Manchester United
Radek Vitek signs for Middlesbrough from Manchester United
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of goalkeeper Radek Vitek, in another major transfer for the club.
It's understood that Boro will be paying £7m in guaranteed payments for Vitek, while that fee could double depending on performance-related add-ons.
Manchester United have also inserted a future sell-on fee clause, as well as buy-back and matching rights agreements. Vitek has signed a five-year contract at the Riverside.
Boro would have preferred to not include the buy-back, and managed to negotiate one out of the deal with Tottenham for Will Lankshear. A matching rights agreement was included in that deal instead.
But it was deemed necessary in this case to get the Vitek deal done, with the Czech youth international Boro's top target this summer, having also considered loan deals for Mark Travers and Kayne van Oevelen.
The fee that the buy-back has been agreed at is not known, but Boro would make considerable profit if Manchester United did activate it. In Senne Lemmens they have an established number one who is just two years older than Vitek.
In his first words as a Boro player, 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. 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.”
Boro decided they wished to upgrade their goalkeeper department for the upcoming season after giving Sol Brynn the chance to step up as number one last term.
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The hope is that Brynn will use the competition to push himself and his development, but as one of the best keepers in the Championship last term, and with such a considerable fee paid, the first choice spot will be Vitek's to lose this season.
Vitek becomes Boro's sixth signing of what has been an impressive and ambitious summer recruitment drive. They are closing in on a seventh too.
Tottenham for centre-back Ashley Phillips is close to completing what is another eye-catching deal ahead of the start of the Championship campaign.
Depending on exits, they would also like to add a winger/wide forward, while a midfielder may be sought for extra cover.
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