Middlesbrough announced the signing of Radek Vitek from Manchester United on Saturday morning and the 22-year-old goalkeeper took to social media later to explain a quote
Radek Vitek speaking
Radek Vitek made a clumsy comment after joining Middlesbrough(Image: YouTube/Middlesbrough FC)
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Radek Vitek has taken to social media to explain himself after misspeaking in his first interview as a Middlesbrough player. Vitek left Manchester United for the Championship side on Saturday and immediately put his foot in it.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper has joined Boro for an initial fee of £7million, which could rise to £14m with add-ons. He impressed on loan with Bristol City last season and decided the time was right to leave Old Trafford after United signed Karl Darlow to be Senne Lammens' back-up.
United described the Czech youth international as a "model professional" in their exit statement and have inserted buy-back and sell-on clauses in the deal. Vitek is expected to be Boro's No.1 keeper as they push for promotion to the Premier League this season, but he didn't get off to the best start.
Speaking to the club media, he said: "It's a new challenge for me, a new stepping stone in my career, so I'm really excited." That phrase "stepping stone" left him open to accusations that he was only joining Boro as a way to get another transfer further up the pyramid.
Vitek therefore wrote on X: "I wanted to clarify what I meant by 'stepping stone'. I just want to assure everyone that I have not meant that in any negative way. The point of the comment was that this is very important step in my career going forward. I can’t wait to get started."
Vitek was highly regarded at United, whom he joined six years ago as a teenager from Czech side Sigma Olomouc. While he failed to make a single competitive first-team appearance for the club, he caught the eye at Bristol City last season and attracted lots of transfer interest this summer.
He chose Kim Hellberg's side, where he will try to displace Sol Brynn as the first-choice goalkeeper. “It feels great to be here," Vitek said. “This is a new challenge for me and I’m really excited to be a Boro player.
HELSINKI, FINLAND - JULY 18: Radek Vitek of Manchester United looks on at the end of the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and AFC Wrexham at Helsingin Olympiastadion on July 18, 2026 in Helsinki, Finland. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Radek Vitek has left Manchester United (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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“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.”
United decided to sell Vitek after signing Darlow on a free transfer from Leeds to provide back-up to Lammens alongside veteran stopper Tom Heaton. Andre Onana has re-joined Trabzonspor on loan for the second consecutive season, while Altay Bayindir has left for a loan spell at Celta Vigo, having lost his place as the No.2 keeper.
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