Bayer Leverkusen have signed Matej Kovar from Manchester United – despite the goalkeeper initially refusing to leave Old Trafford.
Kovar, 23, has completed a £7.7million switch to Germany and signed a four-year contract. It ends the stopper’s five-year spell with United, in which he failed to make a first-team appearance. He did play five games in the EFL Trophy, however.
United’s football director John Murtough will be glad to conclude the sale after Kovar decided against a return to Sparta Prague. The goalkeeper spent last season on loan with Sparta, playing 32 games and winning the Czech First League title.
Kovar, who has represented the Czech Republic at youth level, joined United’s academy in 2018. He spent time on loan at Swindon and Burton, making 24 League One appearances across those two spells. He made United’s first-team bench four times.
Kovar’s move to Leverkusen was confirmed on Tuesday morning. “Hello Bayer Leverkusen fans,” he said in a social media video. “Looking forward to seeing you here in the Bayer Arena. I’m pleased the deal has been signed… thank you very much.”
Leverkusen’s managing director of sport Simon Rolfes added: “Matej is a player with great prospects from whom we have high hopes in the coming years.”
United boss Erik ten Hag has witnessed an overhaul of his goalkeeping department this summer. Kovar, David de Gea and Nathan Bishop have all left Old Trafford, while Dean Henderson and Tom Heaton could also depart before the end of the transfer window. Andre Onana has arrived from Inter Milan to become United’s new first-choice goalkeeper.
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It was initially hoped that Kovar would return to Sparta, but he dashed the Czech club’s hopes last month. The goalkeeper wrote on social media: “Hello Sparta. This is the day my tenure in Sparta ends. 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 (nine years).
“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.
“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. Thanks for everything Sparta I will never forget.”
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