Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague. The 21-year-old goalkeeper joins The Lilywhites in a deal rumoured to be in the region of £12m and has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract, which will see him stay in North London until 2031.
He will wear the number 31 shirt.
Kinsky has impressed many across the footballing scene over the last six months, becoming one of Europe's most highly-rated young goalkeepers, having kept 12 clean sheets in 19 league games for Sešívaní.
Spurs and Technical Director Johan Lange moved quickly to secure his signature, having failed in attempts to sign Bayern Munich's Daniel Peretz, with the Israeli international needed in Bavaria due to the absence of Manuel Neuer. They also considered 19-year-old Fiorentina shot-stopper Tommaso Martinelli and England's Sam Johnstone.
It is understood that the five-time Czechia under-21 international is not expected to come to North London to play as second fiddle to Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario when he returns from a fractured ankle around the end of February, but rather compete for the number one spot.
In the meantime, it would be expected that the ex-Slavia Prague man will overtake Fraser Forster as the first-choice goalkeeper, and there could even be an opportunity to make his Tottenham debut in the next week. Spurs host Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final before they travel to National League side Tamworth on Sunday in the Emirates FA Cup.
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First words
"I'm really happy to be here, it has been amazing to sign the contract. Tottenham is a big name in Europe and in the world, especially in the Czech Republic, and, as I say, for me it is a big honour and I'm really happy," he told SPURSPLAY in his first interview.
"I spoke with the coaches, I spoke with the sporting director and almost with everyone I really got the feeling that this is going to be the right choice.
"I like to play a lot with my feet and the rest I would say shows when I will be on the pitch," Kinsky added.
There are already footballing genes running through the family, with the new Tottenham goalkeeper's father once a professional footballer. His father, who shares the same name, made 369 appearances across a 15-year career, and played 5 times for the national team, as well as being understudy to Petr Cech at Euro 2004 and 2006 World Cup.
"He's a former goalkeeper as well. He played for the Czech national team, in the Czech league and abroad as well, so he has been a big role model for me since the beginning.
"Every decision I make I talk about it with him and he told me of course that this is a big thing, big decision and big chance. He told me to go for this as well so I'm really happy to have this opinion."
In an interview in October, Rostislav Horacek, who worked with Kinsky at MFK Vyskov during his loan spell there, gave an insight into the talented goalkeeper's strengths, weaknesses and more.
"He has an excellent defence in front of him in Slavia, that has to be left alone, but at the same time it is difficult for him in that he often goes 40 minutes without making a save and then has to quickly resolve a difficult situation. This is exactly what Petr Cech used to do at Chelsea. He had a strong defence in front of him, led by John Terry, but then he had to show off with one or two saves.
"Tonda is strong in this. He can read the opponent and resolve it. I also admit that I am waiting for a match when he will be under more pressure to see how he reacts. Maybe it will be in the derby now. You will show the most about yourself in crisis situations."
His former coach also talked about one thing which might make 'Tonda' - the nickname he goes by - a perfect fit for Ange Postecoglou.
"What I like about him is that his style of play prevents him from coming under pressure," said Horacek. "He plays in a way that makes sense and prevents the opponent from immediately going on a break. This makes his job easier for him, but above all it helps the whole team.
"Moreover, he doesn't care which foot he kicks the ball with. I asked him in training which he prefers, but he said he doesn't care. In short, he kicks with both the same way."
