Radek Vitek was one of Middlesbrough’s major summer recruits following missing out on Premier League promotion in 2025/26.

The goalkeeper spent the previous season on loan at Championship rivals Bristol City, where he received a lot of praise for his efforts.

As a result, the Teesside club reached an agreement with Manchester United to sign the goalkeeper in order to improve their alternatives between the posts.

Borough reportedly paid £7 million upfront to sign the Czech international, with an additional £7 million in add-ons.

So far this season, the 22-year-old has firmly established himself as the starter under Kim Hellberg, appearing in all 11 of their opening league games.

However, he has faced criticism from supporters for his performances, with some fans unimpressed by his skill in the early months of the season.

Radek Vitek’s goalkeeper stats 2026/27 – according to Fotmob.com

Stat

Per 90

Saves

2.09

Save percentage (%).

59.0

Goals conceded.

1.45

Goals prevented: -0.18.

Clean sheets.

0.18

Error led to the goal.

0.00

acted as a sweeper.

0.18

High claims.

0.45

Radek Vitek’s criticisms are overstated.

When asked about Vitek’s performances so far this season, FLW’s Middlesbrough fan analyst Liam Day stated that he hasn’t been as bad as some may imagine.

He expected more from the goalie based on comments made by Bristol City fans, but he isn’t too dissatisfied with his inclusion to the team.

“I think there definitely is an element of disappointment because you expect big things, and the way Bristol City fans were talking about him he sounded incredible,” Day said to Football League World.

“I think this is severe criticism.

“There haven’t been many goals conceded where you’d say, ‘Yeah, that’s a really horrible error.

“To be honest, I don’t think he’s made any really awful mistakes yet.

“I believe he’s been beaten at his near post a few times, which can be annoying.

“As a goalkeeper who is six foot six, it’s quite hard to get down there.”

Day believes Vitek does not deserve to be singled out for the goals conceded by Hellberg’s team, even if he still needs to work on certain aspects of his game.

“I don’t think you can really fully blame him, I think we’ve defended poorly at times and we’ve given up big chances,” he said.

“So I think he’s getting criticised a little too much; I don’t understand all of the anger.

“I think the only thing he hasn’t done well is claim crosses and command his area, but he’s only 22, so I believe he can quickly improve on that.

“So, I think the criticism is quite harsh, and I think he will improve and come good for Borough.”

Vitek has conceded 16 goals in 11 Championship outings, with two clean sheets.

He made 41 league appearances for the Robins last season, keeping 12 clean sheets and helping the team finish 12th in the table.

The former Manchester United goalkeeper is under contract with Borough until June 2031, though the Red Devils negotiated a repurchase mechanism as part of the agreement.

Middlesbrough’s promotion ambitions

Vitek was one of Middlesbrough’s big money signings last summer, with Will Lankshear being the most famous addition.

The Teesside club spent to go one step further than 2025/26 in their promotion ambition after losing in the play-off final to Hull City.

Borough have made a solid start to the new season, with 22 points from their first 11 games, and are only one point behind leaders Swansea City.

Hellberg’s side’s next match is against Bolton Wanderers on Friday at 8 p.m.

Radek Vitek’s performance has been lacklustre.

Vitek acquired a reputation as a good shot stopper at Bristol City, but this hasn’t been the case at Riverside.

He has made only 2.09 saves per 90 minutes, with a success percentage of 59.0 percent, which is fairly poor overall, despite facing less shots than the average Championship goalie.

The Czech’s ability to play off his line is also something that may be improved, especially for this Borough team.

However, he has proven to be pretty good on the ball and has yet to make any serious blunders, so it is premature to conclude that he was a bust of a signing or anything close to it.