| Václav Černý | |
| Birth Place: | Příbram, Czech Republic |
| Birth Date: | 17 October 1997[1] |
| Height: | 1.79 m[2] |
| Position: | Right winger |
| Currentclub: | Rangers (on loan from VfL Wolfsburg) |
| Clubnumber: | 18 |
| Youthyears1: | –2013 |
| Youthclubs1: | 1. FK Příbram |
| Youthyears2: | 2013–2015 |
| Youthclubs2: | Ajax |
| Years1: | 2015–2019 |
| Clubs1: | Jong Ajax |
| Caps1: | 69 |
| Goals1: | 31 |
| Years2: | 2015–2019 |
| Clubs2: | Ajax |
| Caps2: | 16 |
| Goals2: | 1 |
| Years3: | 2019–2021 |
| Clubs3: | Utrecht |
| Caps3: | 13 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2020–2021 |
| Clubs4: | → Twente (loan) |
| Caps4: | 16 |
| Goals4: | 6 |
| Years5: | 2021–2023 |
| Clubs5: | Twente |
| Caps5: | 50 |
| Goals5: | 14 |
| Years6: | 2023– |
| Clubs6: | VfL Wolfsburg |
| Caps6: | 22 |
| Goals6: | 4 |
| Years7: | 2024– |
| Clubs7: | → Rangers (loan) |
| Caps7: | 10 |
| Goals7: | 5 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2012–2013 |
| Nationalteam1: | Czech Republic U16 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 8 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 3 |
| Nationalyears2: | 2012–2014 |
| Nationalteam2: | Czech Republic U17 |
| Nationalcaps2: | 27 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 8 |
| Nationalyears3: | 2014–2015 |
| Nationalteam3: | Czech Republic U19 |
| Nationalcaps3: | 7 |
| Nationalgoals3: | 1 |
| Nationalyears4: | 2015–2017 |
| Nationalteam4: | Czech Republic U21 |
| Nationalcaps4: | 16 |
| Nationalgoals4: | 9 |
| Nationalyears5: | 2020– |
| Nationalteam5: | Czech Republic |
| Nationalcaps5: | 17 |
| Nationalgoals5: | 6 |
| Club-Update: | 03:30, 29 November 2024 (UTC) |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 22 June 2024 |
Václav Černý (born 17 October 1997) is a Czech professional footballer who plays as a right-winger for Scottish Premiership club Rangers, on loan from Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg, and the Czech Republic national team.[1]
In January 2013, he signed a youth contract with Dutch club Ajax, moving there in January 2014, as he could only transfer after turning 16. He integrated into the club's renowned football academy. Following in the footsteps of Zdeňka Grygeru and Tomáše Galáska, he became the third Czech player to join the famous Amsterdam club.[3] [4] In January 2015, he signed a professional contract with Ajax, valid until 2018.
At the start of the 2015/16 season, he joined the Ajax first team for a training camp in Austria.[5] He made his debut for the Ajax first team on 15 August 2015, wearing jersey number 32, in the second round of the Eredivisie 2015/16 against Willem II Tilburg (a 3–0 victory). Coach Frank de Boer sent him onto the pitch in the 77th minute, replacing Riechedly Bazoer (Ajax had both of their wingers injured, Germans Amin Younes and Dane Viktor Fischer). He assisted in a goal-scoring action during stoppage time.[6]
He made his European competition debut five days later on 20 August, in a home playoff match of the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League against Czech team FK Jablonec (a 1–0 victory for Ajax, entering the pitch in the 85th minute, replacing Anwar El Ghazi).[7] His first goal for Ajax came on 26 November 2015, in the group stage of the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League against Scottish team Celtic FC at their home ground, where he scored the winning goal in the 88th minute for a final score of 2–1 for Ajax.[8]
In October 2017, Černý did not finish a Wednesday match in the Dutch Cup against third-tier De Dijk, in which he contributed one goal to a 4–1 victory and progression to the Round of 16. The Czech winger suffered a serious knee injury.[9] Subsequent examinations confirmed that he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the cup match, ending his season prematurely.[10] In mid-December, he underwent surgery.[11]
Černý returned to football with Ajax's junior team in September 2018 after an eleven-month absence.[12] In December 2018, he sat on the bench for the first team for the first time since his injury.[13] At the start of the year, he gained his first minutes in the first team, playing in a cup match against Heerenveen.[14] During the winter transfer window, he rejected a move to Heerenveen. Throughout the season, he appeared in only five matches for the first team and did not score any goals.[15]
Černý joined Utrecht in July 2019, signing a three-year contract with Eredivisie side.[16]
Černý spent the 2020–21 Eredivisie on loan at Twente before transferring permanently in July 2021.[17] On 2 June 2023, Černý was named Eredivisie player of the month for May 2023.[18] On 14 January 2022, he suffered a knee injury after an Eredivisie match against his former club, Ajax.[19]
In July 2020, Černý transferred from Utrecht to Twente Enschede for a one-year loan.[20] Černý scored his first goal for Twente on 20 September, opening the scoring against Feyenoord Rotterdam in the second minute, contributing to a 1:1 draw.[21] A week later, Černý played a role in Twente's 3:1 victory over Groningen.[22] On 3 October Černý scored for the third consecutive match, opening the scoring against Emmen in the 48th minute. However, it was not enough for victory as the match ended 1:1.[23] Černý's season came to an early end in January when he tore ligaments in his knee during a match against Ajax.[24] In 17 competitive matches during the season, Černý scored six goals and provided seven assists, earning his first call-up to the senior national team.[25]
In early July 2021, Černý transferred from Utrecht to Twente permanently, signing a two-year contract with an option for another two years.[26] [27] Černý returned to training with Twente in October 2021 after a nine-month absence due to injury.[28] He made his first appearance after injury on 20 November, coming on for the final minutes of a league match against Sparta Rotterdam.[29] In the spring part of the season, Černý mostly came on as a substitute, appearing in a total of 18 league matches, scoring one goal.
Černý started the 2022–23 season in great form, having scored five goals in nine matches by early September; he scored twice in a 2–1 victory over PSV Eindhoven and once in a 4–0 win against SBV Excelsior.[30]
Twente was again competing for a European qualification spot in the league. In mid-May, the team from Enschede achieved a significant 4–0 victory over Nijmegen, with Černý scoring the opening goal, assisting two more, and receiving applause from fans upon substitution. This marked his twelfth goal of the season.[31]
Černý had an outstanding season in the Dutch league, amassing 14 goals and 13 assists. His contributions helped Twente secure a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League for the following season.[32]
On 23 June 2023, VfL Wolfsburg announced the signing of Černý on a four-year contract.[33] The same year on 3 November, he scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 2–2 draw against Werder Bremen.[34]
On 26 July 2024, Rangers announced Černý on a one-year loan.[35] On 10 August 2024, Cerny scored his first goal for Rangers against Motherwell at Hampden Stadium. On 6 October 2024 Cerny scored his first brace for Rangers in their 2–0 win over St Johnstone at Ibrox.[36]
Černý represented Czech national youth football teams from the under-16 level. He was called up to the Czech Republic under-21 team in August 2015 at the age of 17. This call-up drew media attention as if Černý played in the against Latvia or Malta in early September, he would become the youngest player to represent the team.[37] Černý made his U21 debut on 4 September, starting in the 4–1 victory against Malta.[38]
Černý debuted for the Czech senior national team on 11 November 2020 in a friendly match against Germany.[39] He started and was substituted at half-time in the 1–0 loss.[40]
After missing out the UEFA Euro 2020 due to health issues,[41] Černý returned to the national team in June 2022 for the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A matches against Spain, Switzerland, and Portugal. He played only half an hour against the former and assisted on Jan Kuchta's goal, ending in a 2–2 draw.[42]
On 17 November 2022, Černý scored his first goal in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match against Faroe Islands, ending in a 5–0 victory for the Czech Republic.[43]
Former manager of VfL Wolfsburg, Niko Kovač, described Černý as a left-foot player with speed and technical skills.[44]
Černý's father, also named Václav, is the head coach of FK Příbram.[45]
| Season | League | National cup | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Jong Ajax | 2014–15 | Eerste Divisie | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2015–16 | Eerste Divisie | 17 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 5 | ||||||
| 2016–17 | Eerste Divisie | 28 | 15 | — | — | — | — | 28 | 15 | ||||||
| 2017–18 | Eerste Divisie | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| 2018–19 | Eerste Divisie | 22 | 10 | — | — | — | — | 22 | 10 | ||||||
| Total | 69 | 31 | — | — | — | — | 69 | 31 | |||||||
| Ajax | 2015–16 | Eredivisie | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 9 | 2 | |||
| 2016–17 | Eredivisie | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 10 | 1 | ||||
| 2017–18 | Eredivisie | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 7 | 1 | ||||
| 2018–19 | Eredivisie | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 16 | 1 | 8 | 2 | — | 5 | 1 | — | 29 | 4 | |||||
| Jong Utrecht | 2019–20 | Eerste Divisie | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | |||||
| Utrecht (loan) | 2019–20 | Eredivisie | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 | |||
| Twente | 2020–21 | Eredivisie | 16 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 17 | 6 | ||||
| 2021–22 | Eredivisie | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 20 | 1 | |||||
| 2022–23 | Eredivisie | 32 | 13 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 41 | 15 | |||
| Total | 66 | 20 | 4 | 0 | — | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 78 | 22 | ||||
| VfL Wolfsburg | 2023–24 | Bundesliga | 22 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 25 | 5 | ||||
| Rangers (loan) | 2024–25 | Scottish Premiership | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | — | 20 | 8 | ||
| Career total | 198 | 62 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 238 | 71 | |||
| Czech Republic | 2020 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 2023 | 7 | 3 | ||
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Total | 17 | 6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Scores and results list Czech Republic's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Černý goal.
| 1. | 16 November 2022 | Andrův stadion, Olomouc, Czech Republic | 4–0 | 5–0 | Friendly | ||
| 2. | 19 November 2022 | Gaziantep Stadium, Gaziantep, Turkey | 1–1 | 2–1 | |||
| 3. | 17 June 2023 | Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands | 2–0 | 3–0 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying | ||
| 4. | 3–0 | ||||||
| 5. | 7 September 2023 | Eden Arena, Prague, Czech Republic | 1–0 | 1–1 | |||
| 6. | 7 June 2024 | Untersberg-Arena, Grödig, Austria | 7–1 | 7–1 | Friendly |
Ajax[46]
Jong Ajax[46]
Individual
2015[48]