Salford City have signed Czechoslovakian goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky on a two-year contract, subject to international clearance. 

The 29-year-old became a free agent in the Summer after leaving Scottish side, St. Mirren, where he spent 18 months.

Hladky spent the majority of his playing career in Czechoslovakia, at clubs such as Zbrojovka Brno and Slovan Liberec, before joining The Buddies and becoming a fan favourite at St. Mirren Park.

The goalkeeper was linked to Celtic, Rangers and Legia Warsaw, but chose Salford to fulfil his ambition of playing in England.

Hladky said: “I’m pretty excited, it’s a new side for me and I’m looking forward to it!

“I came 18 months ago to St. Mirren and now after 18 months I can say it was a good stay for me. The Scottish league is very good, a good level for me and I feel after these 18 months I’m comfortable to go to another step and I’m looking forward to coming to Salford.

“English football has always been my big dream so my expectation is huge, so is Salford’s, this is a good start for me and I hope we will be successful together.”

After speaking with manager Graham Alexander and Ammies’ Goalkeeper Coach Carlo Nash, the 29-year-old was set on Salford.

He added: ““Most important was my chat with the guys from the staff and the board as well, they are so ambitious. The Gaffer and the goalie coach are both great guys and I really enjoyed thecommunication with them, so it was a big point with me to speak to them and Gary Neville so they are a couple of things that happened and I decided to pick Salford.

“I have a big target and Salford has big targets as well to get a promotion every year so I will do my best to give the club as best I can, and I hope we will be a success!”

The signing of Hladky is massive for the Ammies, who have been without a first team keeper during pre-season after the departure of Chris Neal and Kyle Letheren at the end of the 2019/20 season.

Manager Graham Alexander highlighted that it was important that Salford were patient when finding a replacement, and is pleased with the choice he has made.

Alexander said: ““We’re delighted to welcome Vaclav to the club, we’ve been patient with our recruitment of a goalkeeper because we were determined to get the right one.

“We feel with his quality and his ambition, it ties in perfectly with what we’re wanting to achieve as a club.

“We’ve seen him play and had many reports from his time at St. Mirren which were all very positive.”

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