Krisztian Hegyi has brought an end to seven years with West Ham United as the Hungarian goalkeeper moves to the Czech Republic with Sparta Prague.
Three months ago, Hegyi indicated he was still dreaming of a future at West Ham.
Yet, with only one year left on his contract and with fellow glovesmen Finlay Herrick and Mason Terry going from strength to strength, an offer of first-team football and a place to call home in the Czech capital proved too good to turn down.
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West Ham United confirmed on their official website this Friday morning that Krisztian Hegyi has joined Sparta Prague on a permanent deal.
Kristzian Hegyi speaks after leaving West Ham United for Sparta Prague
Hegyi’s arrival brings an end to what Sparta sporting director Tomas Rosicky describes as a long-running pursuit of a new goalkeeper.
As for the man himself, the Budapest-born 23-year-old is optimistic about the future at a club co-owned by none other than Daniel Kretinsky.
“I’m excited,” Hegyi told the official Sparta website. “I’m looking forward to the start of training.”
“We had a plan to bring in a goalkeeper in this transfer window for a long time,” explains Rosicky, the former Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal playmaker. “We had enough time and many alternatives were offered to us.
“Of all the options we had, we chose Krisztian because he is a goalkeeper with very good physical qualities, who chooses the right positions when catching, has good reflexes on the goal line and can deal with crossed balls.
“At the same time, he tries to be constructive, and we also include good organisation and communication among his positive skills.”
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Capped 22 times by Hungary at Under-21 level, Hegyi racked up 64 appearances for West Ham’s reserves in Premier League 2.
Hegyi produced some ‘outstanding’ contributions as the Hammers reached the National League Cup final in the spring, albeit he was on loan at MTK Budapest by the time they faced Boreham Wood at Meadow Park.
“We have known Krisztian since 2023, when I first saw him with my own eyes,” says David Zikta, head of goalkeeping at Sparta Prague. “He is a young and ambitious boy whose development we have been following for a long time.
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“He still has room to move and grow, but he already meets the requirements that we imagine in a member of the AC Sparta Prague first-team.”
As things stand, the aforementioned Fin Herrick could act as back-up to Mads Hermansen in the Championship. The future of Alphonse Areola, one of West Ham’s highest earners, is also uncertain.
In the meantime, it remains to be seen if Kretinsky will open up a clear pathway from Prague to West Ham for some of the brightest talents in the country.
The Czech billionaire is increasing his stake at the London Stadium outfit and has spoken in the past about the ‘affinity’ between the Hammers and Czech players.
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