Tottenham Hotspur sign Czech goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky to plug gap at the back
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Slavia Prague goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky warming up before the Europa League match against Fenerbahce at Fortuna Arena on Nov 28.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur announced on Jan 5 they have signed Czech Under-21 international goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague in a deal worth about £12.5 million (S$21.3 million).
They have been without first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario since he fractured his ankle in the 4-0 win over Manchester City in November and he is set to be sidelined until the end of February.
Fraser Forster has been deputising for the injury-hit Spurs but the former England international missed the 2-1 defeat at home by Newcastle United with illness on Jan 4, meaning Brandon Austin deputised.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have won only two of their past 11 games in all competitions and have slumped to 12th in the English Premier League table.
The 21-year-old Kinsky, whose goalkeeping father was a Czech international, completed a medical check-up on Jan 4 and has signed a contract until 2031.
He has made 29 appearances for Slavia Prague this season, keeping 14 clean sheets.
He told the Slavia Prague website the move was a “dream come true”.
“It was clear that such an opportunity may not come again,” he said. “I decided to go for it, and then it was all down to a deal between the clubs.”
The move is subject to international clearance and the granting of a work permit.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town have signed defender Ben Godfrey on loan from Serie A side Atalanta for the rest of the season, the promoted Premier League club said on Jan 5.
The 26-year-old Englishman has played just one league game and two Champions League games for Atalanta since joining from Everton in the close season for a fee of around £10 million.
“We wanted to add to that area. Ben is a good player and an experienced player. That will be a good boost for us in the second half of the season,” said Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna.
Godfrey made 93 appearances for Everton after joining the Merseyside club in 2020 from Norwich City.
“I have really enjoyed speaking to the manager and to have the opportunity to work under him now is something I’m very excited about,” said Godfrey.
“I’ve watched a lot of the games from the first half of the season and you can tell from those that the group is a tight one, full of players giving everything to achieve their goals.”
The centre-back is Ipswich’s first signing of the January transfer window as they look to escape the relegation zone, sitting 18th after their 2-2 draw with Fulham on Jan 5, despite wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the past two months. AFP, REUTERS
