Lukáš Hrádecký


Lukáš Hrádecký, is a Slovak-born Finnish football goalkeeper who plays for Bayer Leverkusen and the Finland national team. Hrádecký was born in Bratislava, Slovakia. He began his senior club career playing for TPS, before signing with Esbjerg fB at age 19 in 2009. After winning his first trophy, the Danish 1st Division, during his third season in Denmark, he helped Esbjerg win the Danish Cup in 2013.
A Finnish international, Hrádecký has been awarded with Finnish Footballer of the Year award by the Football Association of Finland for three years in a row between 2016-2018. He made his international debut for Finland in May 2010, at the age of 20 and has over 50 caps. He appeared in 9 out of 10 Finland´s UEFA Euro 2020 qualification matches and helped Finland national team secure its first ever place in European Football Championship tournament´s group stage.

Club career

TPS

Hrádecký began his career in Finnish club Turun Palloseura. In 2008, he played in the International Karel Stegeman U-19 Youth Tournament in Ruurlo, Netherlands where he won the prize for best goalkeeper.

Esbjerg

On 10 January 2009, Hrádecký transferred to Esbjerg fB and signed a four-year contract with the five-time Danish champions. On 3 August 2010 it was announced that Hrádecký had been called to be tested for a week by Manchester United to strengthen their goalkeeping department after the departure of Tom Heaton. However, he chose to seek the chance to be the primary keeper in Esbjerg instead.
After the 2012–13 Superliga season Hradecky's contract with Esbjerg fB expired, and an agreement to prolong the contract was not reached.

Brøndby

On 12 June 2013, Hrádecký joined Danish Superliga rivals Brøndby IF on a four-year contract on a free transfer. On 21 June 2013 Hradecký made his debut in the Superliga in a match against Vestsjælland.

Eintracht Frankfurt

In August 2015 Hrádecký transferred from Brøndby to German Bundesliga team Eintracht Frankfurt. The value of the transfer was never published, but according to newspapers Eintracht paid €2.5 million to Brøndby. In 2017-18, Hrádecký's last season with Eintracht, Hrádecký was voted Bundesliga Goalkeeper of the Season.

Bayer Leverkusen

In May 2018, Bayer Leverkusen announced the signing of Hrádecký for the 2018–19 season on a free transfer. He agreed a contract until 2023.

International career

Hrádecký earned several caps for Finland on different junior levels. He made his junior level national team debut when he was 16 years old on 16 November 2006 in Athens in a match against Greece. He was a member of the Finland national under-20 football team and represented the team at the Valentin A. Granatkin Memorial Tournament. Hrádecký was selected to Finland national under-21 football team for 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship but he had to withdraw due to a knee injury. He was the first choice keeper for Finland's under-21 side during the 2011 UEFA European U21 Championship qualifications.
In January 2010 Hrádecký was called to the Finland national football team by Stuart Baxter to face South Korea in a friendly at Málaga, Spain. Hrádecký was at the bench the whole match. He finally made his first team debut on 21 May 2010, when he replaced Jukka Lehtovaara for the second half in a 2–0 away loss against Estonia. He played his first UEFA European Championship qualification game on 3 June 2011 when Mixu Paatelainen chose him to the starting line up against San Marino in Serravalle. During autumn of 2011 he established himself as a regular in the Finland national team and appeared in the UEFA European Championship qualification matches against Moldova, Netherlands and Sweden.
Hradecký appeared in three friendly matches during Finland´s preparation for 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. He was chosen to starting line up in the first qualification match against France, but remained as a substitute for the rest of the campaign as Niki Mäenpää established himself as the number one choice.

Personal life

Hrádecký's brothers Tomas and Matej are also professional footballers. He is of Slovak descent.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours and achievements

Club

Esbjerg fB
Brøndby IF
Eintracht Frankfurt