Manchester United have completed yet another summer transfer.
Michael Carrick has sanctioned the sale of Radek Vitek to Middlesbrough
Michael Carrick has sanctioned the sale of Radek Vitek to Middlesbrough (Image: Getty)
Manchester United have confirmed the sale of goalkeeper Radek Vitek to Championship promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough. Vitek had been widely tipped to leave Old Trafford this summer, having been knocked down the pecking order following the arrival of Karl Darlow on a free transfer. Senne Lammens will remain United's first choice between the sticks heading into the new season.
The deal to sell Vitek could be worth up to £14million, which would represent a new record for a goalkeeper in the Championship. According to the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils didn't want to stand in Vitek's way, but INEOS insisted on a number of favourable clauses in the deal.
As such, United will benefit from a buy-back clause, along with matching rights and a 35 per cent sell-on clause to profit from any potential future sale.
The report adds that Vitek made it clear from the start of the summer that he wanted to leave in search of regular first-team minutes elsewhere.
It's claimed that he didn't want to accept a back-up role behind Lammens and Darlow at Old Trafford.
Speaking after United's opening pre-season fixture against Wrexham, Vitek stopped for reporters and wasted little time in making his ambitions clear.
"I feel great and ready to go again somewhere to be, hopefully, number one, so we will see, we will see what is going to happen," he said.
Having already departed United on loan on three separate occasions, a permanent switch to Middlesbrough gives Vitek the platform to truly advance his career.
Vitek has joined Middlesbrough in a deal potentially worth up to £14m
Vitek has joined Middlesbrough in a deal potentially worth up to £14m (Image: Getty)
The shot-stopper arrived at United's academy in 2020 from Czech outfit Sigma Olomouc.
Vitek featured in every match during the triumphant 2021/22 FA Youth Cup run before progressing to the Under-21 squad.
He moved to Accrington Stanley on a six-month loan in January 2024. He then joined Austrian side Blau-Weiss Linz on a season-long arrangement for 2024/25, which proved another productive spell away from Old Trafford.
Vitek acquired valuable Championship experience on loan at Bristol City last term, attracting attention from clubs in the division.
He will be hoping to kick on at Middlesbrough, who will be looking to avenge their Championship play-off final defeat to Hull City by winning promotion this term.
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