Middlesbrough officially sign Manchester United goalkeeper

Manchester United’s goalkeeping department has become one of the club’s biggest success stories over the last year.

Senne Lammens has firmly made the number one shirt his own after an outstanding debut season, while the Red Devils have continued reshaping Michael Carrick’s squad with the arrivals of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Karl Darlow, Kit Margetson and Tynan Thompson.

Not everyone can be squeezed into the first-team picture, though, and another goalkeeper has now officially begun the next chapter of his career.

After impressing away from Old Trafford over the past two seasons, the time has come for another Manchester United academy graduate to test himself elsewhere on a permanent basis.

Middlesbrough complete goalkeeper signing

Middlesbrough have officially confirmed the permanent signing of Radek Vitek from Manchester United on the club’s official website.

The Czech goalkeeper arrives after a brilliant loan spell with Bristol City, where he quietly became one of the Championship’s most reliable shot-stoppers.

Speaking after he signed for Boro, Radek 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.”

If there was an end-of-season trophy going, chances are Vitek was taking it home.

The 22-year-old made 41 league appearances for the Robins and swept the club’s awards night, collecting Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year after a string of outstanding displays.

Vitek first joined United from Sigma Olomouc in 2020 and has taken the scenic route through senior football.

Loan spells at Accrington Stanley, Austrian side Blau-Weiß Linz and Bristol City have each added another layer to his development.

Standing at 6ft 6in, he has never been difficult to spot, but over the last 12 months he has also become increasingly difficult to beat.

With Lammens now firmly established as Carrick’s first-choice goalkeeper, regular football was always likely to be Vitek’s priority, and Middlesbrough have handed him exactly that opportunity.

United supporters will no doubt keep an eye on his progress, with many believing the academy graduate has all the attributes to enjoy a long career at a high level.

For Vitek, it is another important step forward.

For Middlesbrough, it could prove to be one of the smartest goalkeeper signings of the summer.