Bristol City are closing in on the signing of Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek on a season-long loan, according to Bristol Live journalist Dan Carter.
The 21-year-old joined the Red Devils in 2020 from Czech outfit FC Sigma Olomouc and was thrust into the under-18 side. It became evident early on that the 20-time English champions thought they had a gem on their hands and he started every round of United’s FA Youth Cup triumph in 2022.
After then impressing for the under-23s, he earned his first taste of regular senior football when he moved to Accrington Stanley for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign. He started 18 League Two games before returning to Old Trafford.
Vitek was again sent out on loan last season, joining BW Linz in the Austrian top flight. However, he penned frsh terms at his parent club prior to his departure, which is set to run until 2027.
Vitek Set For Championship Move
It appears as if the former Czech youth international will be given an opportunity to showcase his worth in England’s second tier, with a temporary move to Bristol City on the horizon. He was present at the Robins’ 2-0 friendly win over Plymouth Argyle yesterday, with the deal set to be concluded this week.
As reported at the Manchester end, understand United’s Radek Vitek is set to join #BristolCity on a season-long loan.
Paperwork not yet signed, however. Expectation is that it will be completed in next few days.
— Dan Carter (@DanCarterJourno) July 27, 2025
City were rocked earlier this month when it was revealed that current first choice goalkeeper Max O’Leary is set to miss the first three to four months of the season after having ankle surgery. The Republic of Ireland international has been an ever-present at Ashton Gate during the last two campaigns and played a major role in their sixth-placed finish last season.
Writer’s View
This move represents a fantastic opportunity for Radek Vitek. He is very highly rated at Manchester United and is widely tipped to stake his claim for the number one jersey at Old Trafford in the coming years. With the ongoing goalkeeping dilemma at the Red Devils, there will be plenty at the club keeping a close eye on his development at Ashton Gate. It will be interesting to see what happens in the long term at Bristol City throughout the course of the campaign though. Max O’Leary has been unchallenged between the sticks but he could find his position in jeopardy upon his return from injury should Vitek start the season strongly.
