Middlesbrough sign goalkeeper Radek Vitek from Manchester United

Radek Vitek has completed a permanent transfer from Manchester United to Middlesbrough, with the Championship club paying an initial fee of 7 million pounds that could rise to 14 million pounds with performance-related add-ons. The 22-year-old goalkeeper signed a five-year contract at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, August 8, 2026, and is expected to become the first-choice keeper as Middlesbrough pushes for promotion to the Premier League.

The move was confirmed by both clubs, with Manchester United stating that Vitek had agreed a permanent move subject to registration. The deal includes a sell-on clause of 35 percent for United, along with buyback and matching rights agreements. Vitek had spent the previous season on loan at Bristol City in the Championship, where he kept 12 clean sheets in 41 appearances, attracting significant transfer interest.

Vitek joined Manchester United in 2020 from Czech side Sigma Olomouc but never made a competitive first-team appearance for the club. His departure came after United signed Karl Darlow on a free transfer from Leeds to provide backup to first-choice goalkeeper Senne Lammens. With Andre Onana returning on loan to Trabzonspor and...