It has been a breakthrough season for Radek Vitek.
The Manchester United goalkeeper has loved a vastly useful mortgage spell to date at Bristol Metropolis – a transfer that got here round as a result of Metropolis’s earlier No 1 Max O’Leary suffered an ankle damage on the finish of final season which compelled the membership to maneuver for a short-term alternative.
Vitek was introduced in on a season-long mortgage however has surpassed any expectations from when he first arrived on the membership and is now holding O’Leary out of the group having recovered from his damage, on account of a run of dominant performances by the younger Czech keeper.
“It’s true it came a little bit out of nowhere,” Vitek stated. “I knew I was going to go on loan this season because I had an agreement with the coach it was the best thing to do and get more experience at a higher level than last year.
“It was a no brainer as a result of to play within the Championship for a membership corresponding to Bristol Metropolis for me was actually engaging.
“I said yes straight away after I spoke with Gerhard Struber.”
Vitek had beforehand been on mortgage at Accrington Stanley in League Two earlier than spending a season in Austria however Vitek’s spectacular kind for Metropolis has helped cause them to eighth within the desk.
“I’m still quite young but I would describe myself as a goalkeeper who likes to be both dominant and also confident for the team in front of me so they can rely on me,” Vitek defined.
“Everything since day one has come together. The people around the club, the city… everyone has been really nice to me since day one and the fans have been amazing.
“First recreation away from dwelling, Sheffield Wednesday… to have a good time the win like that was an incredible reminiscence. I do not suppose I am going to ever neglect this one.”
On joining Man Utd at 16… and his future?
Having grown up in Czechia, Vitek admitted he was a shy kid growing up – perhaps more introverted than you would expect from a now 6ft 6in goalkeeper.
Vitek admitted he did not start out his footballing journey in goal and he used to play every position when he was younger, but as with other kids who hit a growth spurt earlier than others, he was thrown into goal because he was always the tallest in his age group.
Vitek in objective for Manchester United U21s in 2022
Having joined Czech aspect SK Sigma Olomouc’s academy, Vitek was quickly invited to trial for various golf equipment in England after catching the attention in his dwelling nation.
However for Vitek, at simply 16-years-old there was just one membership he was keen on signing for.
“I knew straight away that Manchester United wanted me,” Vitek stated. “They told me straight after seven weeks’ trial, they told me they want me to sign.
“It was the time when Covid hit although – I spent six months at dwelling however I did not have any doubts as a result of I felt actually assured with the conversations I had with the coaches in Manchester.
Vitek (R) alongside Altay Bayindir earlier than a Man Utd recreation in 2023
“Obviously my club knew as well about the interest and they already spoke with Manchester United about the contracts and everything like that so it was basically done – some of my team-mates couldn’t believe it because it’s not an everyday thing someone goes from a Czech academy to a club like Manchester United.”
Virtually six years on from signing for the membership, this looks like an enormous milestone in Vitek’s footballing journey and improvement.
Taking part in repeatedly, exhibiting what he can do on the dimension of a membership like Bristol Metropolis is clearly doing him wonders.
It was undoubtedly pleasing for these at Manchester United as effectively, as he’s highly-rated at Carrington. Regardless of Senne Lammens impressing at United since his summer time arrival, the No 1 shirt nonetheless feels there to be fought for at this second in time.
So might we see Radek Vitek in that shirt sooner or later?
“I’m taking it step-by-step, we’ll see next summer what’s best for me,” Vitek stated. “I speak on a regular basis with my goalkeeper coach from Manchester United who has come here to watch my games and I have a good connection with them.
“I do know they’re watching me and I actually admire that I am not simply the man who’s being forgotten or something.
“Obviously long term, I would love to play for Manchester United one day but also I’m realistic and I know that my pathway can lead somewhere different as well.”
