"This is a big honour. I'm really happy" - Kinsky on signing for Spurs
Mon 06 January 2025, 11:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Antonin Kinsky couldn't hide his pride after signing on the dotted line and becoming a Spurs player.
An arrival from Slavia Prague on Sunday, the goalkeeper signed a deal until 2031 with the Club and has taken the number 31 shirt.
Born and raised in Prague, Czech Republic, the young goalkeeper has spent his career to date in his homeland but is now relishing the opportunity to test himself in England.
And the chance to do that wearing our colours is one he was not going to turn down with him citing the Club's stature in world football as a key driver in his decision to move to north London.
I spoke with the coaches, I spoke with the sporting director... and I really got the feeling that this is going to be the right choice.
"I’m really happy to be here and to sign the contract," he said when spoke to SPURSPLAY after signing his contract with the Club. "It’s a pleasure for me (to sign) because Tottenham is a big name in Europe, in the world, especially in the Czech Republic so, as I say, for me it's a big honour and I’m really happy.
"I spoke with the coaches, I spoke with the sporting director, almost with everyone, and I really got the feeling that this is going to be the right choice.
"I’m looking forward to everything. For me, it is a new experience. I’m really happy to make that first step outside of the country (Czechia). I’m really happy, I’m really excited and I’m looking forward to the training sessions, to the games because, of course, it is the aim of every player to be on the pitch. And that is what I am going to do; I’m going try to push in the training session to get the minutes."
Son of a former professional goalkeeper - also called Antonin Kinsky - Antonin junior joins us midway through what is his breakthrough season at Slavia Prague. Having enjoyed two key loan moves over the last two campaigns, he was given his opportunity at one of the Czech Republic's most successful clubs this campaign and has delivered.
Given the starting berth for Slavia this term, the 21-year-old has made headlines with 12 clean sheets in just 19 league games, conceding just seven goals as his former side lead the Czech First League – a league his father won while at Slovan Liberec - with a seven-point buffer.
Watch Antonin's first interview
“I’ve been playing in the Czech Republic so far. Most recently for Slavia, I would say we had a good first half of the season but then this offer came,” he explained. "As I said, I felt this is going to be a good decision, so I decided to go and I’m really happy.
"My dad is a former goalkeeper as well. He played for the Czech National Team, in the Czech First League and abroad as well.
"He’s been a big role model for me since the beginning so, with every decision I make, I talk about it with him and he told me, of course, that this is a big thing, a big decision and a big chance. He told me to go for this as well, so I am really happy to have this positive opinion."
