27 July 2023 , 11:44
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Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar has confirmed he will not be returning to Sparta Prague for the upcoming season.
Kovar, 23, impressed with the Czech giants last term, making 28 appearances and winning the top-flight title in the process. But hopes of him returning to Prague have now been dashed, with Kovar penning an open letter to the club’s supporters.
“Hello Sparta. This is the day my tenure in Sparta ends,” he wrote on social media. “I am very glad I could be part of the biggest club in the Czech Republic and help the team win the title after a long wait. Grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a great team and club.
“With this message I’d like to thank everyone in the club. From the club management down to the players, coaches and all Sparta employees. Even though my tenure only lasted 10 months, I already know that I can call this place home and it will always be in my heart. Although this story ends, the memories last forever.
Kovar added: "Last but not least, I would like to thank the fans. I will always remember the support I felt from the first game till today. It was a ride none of us will forget. As I say goodbye to you today, I'm incredibly proud to have been one of you and helped put Sparta back where it belongs.”
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United’s goalkeeping department remains in flux, following the departure of David de Gea and the arrival of Andre Onana. The Cameroon international will become the club’s new first-choice stopper, but his deputies have yet to be decided.
Matej Kovar will not be returning to Sparta Prague next season (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)Jack Butland has already left for Rangers, Dean Henderson is subject to interest from Nottingham Forest, while Tom Heaton has also attracted Premier League offers. That leaves a clutch of youth keepers, including Kovar, who could step into the role.
However, Kovar - along with Nathan Bishop - are both likely to seal loan moves, with the latter joining Sunderland in the Championship. It remains to be seen where Kovar will land, but a return to Sparta is out of the question after United ignored their very public transfer demand.
Sparta’s sporting director made it abundantly clear that if a deal was to be completed, it had to be done quickly. Former Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky said earlier this month: “Yes, Matej’s return is still in play. Of course, we would be very happy if Matej was still here with us.
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag still wants to sign another goalkeeper this summer“But everything has its limits, and we cannot wait forever. If Matej doesn’t come, another goalkeeper will sign.”
And two weeks later, that has come to pass with the Czech champions agreeing a deal for Danish keeper Peter Vindahl. Rosicky said: "Matěj Kovář, together with his agency and Manchester United, continue to consider how his career will continue.
“We wanted to be part of it, but at this moment we can't wait any longer, because the peak of our summer, the Champions League qualification, is approaching. As I already said during the training camp in Austria, if we can't bring Matěj now, we have to react to it.”
Erik ten Hag has been linked with further transfers for keepers, including Fenerbahce’s Altay Bayindir and Japan international Zion Suzuki.