Martin Dubravka, a goalkeeper for Newcastle, has been loaned to Manchester United, the team announced on Thursday.
United will pay Newcastle a £2 million loan fee and have the option to make the arrangement permanent after the current campaign. If Dubravka starts a predetermined number of Premier League games, the club is obligated to sign him permanently for £6 million.
The senior keepers David de Gea and Tom Heaton will be challenged by Slovakia’s international goalkeeper after the former received criticism for his role in United’s 4-0 loss to Brentford last month.
“To be joining Manchester United is a special moment in my career and I can’t wait to get started, and help the group achieve its ambitions,” Dubravka told the club’s official website.
“I am joining an excellent group of goalkeepers with lots of experience in the Premier League, and I know that we will push and support each other to keep our standards at the highest levels. The chance to work with David de Gea, alongside Tom Heaton, is one that I am relishing.
“I’d like to sincerely thank everyone at Newcastle United, and especially the fans, for many great experiences over the past four and a half years. I enjoyed every minute of my time there and made amazing memories to look back on. My focus is now on helping Manchester United, and we’ll see what the future holds after I have given my all this season. I am excited to be here!”
De Gea misjudged his pass to Christian Eriksen in his box, which resulted in Mathias Jensen’s goal, and allowed Josh Dasilva’s long-range effort to slip under his hands for Brentford’s first goal.
After Dean Henderson left on a season-long loan to Nottingham Forest, manager Erik ten Hag wanted to add another goalkeeper to his team.
Since joining Newcastle in 2018 on loan from Sparta Prague and later making a permanent transfer that summer, Dubravka has played 130 times.
The 33-year-old has since put on several impressive performances, but Nick Pope, who Newcastle acquired from Burnley, now starts in his place.