Vítězslav Jaroš Explained

Vítězslav Jaroš
Full Name:Vítězslav Jaroš[1]
Birth Date:23 July 2001
Birth Place:Příbram, Czech Republic
Height:1.90m
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Liverpool
Clubnumber:56
Youthyears1:2008–2011
Youthclubs1:FK Příbram
Youthyears2:2011–2017
Youthclubs2:Slavia Prague
Youthyears3:2017–2020
Youthclubs3:Liverpool
Years1:2020–
Clubs1:Liverpool
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2021
Clubs2:St Patrick's Athletic (loan)
Caps2:34
Goals2:0
Years3:2022
Clubs3:Notts County (loan)
Caps3:15
Goals3:0
Years4:2022–2023
Clubs4:Stockport County (loan)
Caps4:11
Goals4:0
Years5:2024
Clubs5:Sturm Graz (loan)
Caps5:14
Goals5:0
Nationalteam1:Czech Republic U17
Nationalteam2:Czech Republic U19
Nationalyears3:2022–2023
Nationalteam3:Czech Republic U21
Nationalcaps3:5
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2024–
Nationalteam4:Czech Republic
Nationalcaps4:1
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:20:52, 19 May 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:6 June 2024

Vítězslav Jaroš (born 23 July 2001) is a Czech professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Liverpool and the Czech Republic national team.

Club career

Early career

Jaroš started out with his local club FK Příbram where he played for three years before joining Slavia Prague in 2011. He spent six years there before signing for Liverpool in 2017, joining the club's Academy set-up and winning the FA Youth Cup in his second season with the side.[2] [3]

In the summer of 2019, he made his first appearance for the senior side in a pre-season friendly against Tranmere Rovers, playing the second half of a 6–0 win.[4] Shortly after that he picked up an injury in training that halted his progress, taking a knock to his elbow from close range that tore a ligament off the bone and a little bit of the bone away, with the injury requiring surgery that caused him to miss several months.[5]

Liverpool

Jaroš first involvement with the Liverpool first team squad in a competitive fixture came in February 2020, when he was named on the bench for their FA Cup Fourth Round replay against Shrewsbury Town.[6] He signed a new long term contract with the club on 9 July 2020.[7] The following season, Jaroš was on the bench again for three Champions League fixtures, at home and away against Ajax and away to FC Midtjylland, although he remained an unused substitute in all three.[8]

Loan to St Patrick's Athletic

On 3 February 2021, it was announced that Jaroš had joined League of Ireland Premier Division side St Patrick's Athletic on loan for the duration of the 2021 season.[9] [10] This made him the second ever player from the Czech Republic to sign for the club, after fellow Příbram native Michal Macek. He made his debut for St Pats, and his senior competitive debut, on 19 March 2021, in a 1–1 draw with Shamrock Rovers in the Dublin derby at Tallaght Stadium.[11] Jaroš' debut performance saw him draw high praise from his manager Stephen O'Donnell who stated "He’s shown tonight what he’s shown all pre-season. For a player so young, 19 years of age, to have such a good mentality and be so composed – if you were coming in and didn’t know his age, you’re saying: ‘That’s a seasoned veteran, that’s a real pro’."[12] [13] He kept the first clean sheet of his senior career on 3 April 2021, as his side won 1–0 away to Bohemians in the Dublin City derby at Dalymount Park to go top of the league.[14] Jaroš went on to keep five clean sheets in six games as his side remained unbeaten after nine games, conceding just four goals.[15] On 12 November 2021, Jaroš was named as the club's Player of the Year, as voted by the club's supporters following a debut season that saw him help his side to a 2nd place finish, their best since the club's 2013 title win.[16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] On 28 November 2021, Jaroš made his last appearance for the club in the 2021 FAI Cup Final, beating rivals Bohemians 4–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time in front of a record FAI Cup Final crowd of 37,126 at the Aviva Stadium.[22] [23] [24] [25] He departed the club at the end of the season, waiting for guidance from Jürgen Klopp on where his next move would be, with the Liverpool manager stating "Vit was brilliant in Ireland", while Pat's manager Stephen O'Donnell stated he was the best 20 year old goalkeeper he had ever seen, including Kasper Schmeichel who was a teammate of his at Falkirk at the same age.[26] [27] [28] On 26 January 2022, it was announced that Jaroš had been named SWI Goalkeeper of the Year as voted by Irish journalists.[29] [30] [31]

Loan to Notts County

On 27 January 2022, it was announced that Jaroš had signed for National League side Notts County until the end of the season.[32] [33] [34] He made his debut for the club on 1 March 2022 in a 3–1 loss away to Chesterfield.[35] His first clean sheet for the club came on his fifth appearance for the club, in a 2–0 win over Eastleigh at Meadow Lane on 19 February 2022.[36] He made a total of 15 appearances for the club during his loan spell, as they missed out on promotion to EFL League Two in the playoffs.[8]

Loan to Stockport County

On 4 July 2022, Jaroš signed for EFL League Two club Stockport County on a season long loan.[37] Jaroš made his debut for the club on 9 August 2022 in an EFL Cup tie away to Harrogate Town in which he kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win.[38] He followed that up by keeping another clean sheet in a 1–0 win four days later in a victory at home to Colchester United in his league debut for the club.[39] On 23 August 2022, Jaroš kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw with Premier League side Leicester City in an EFL Cup tie, also saving a penalty from James Maddison in the shootout as his side were defeated 3–1 on penalties.[40] He made 13 appearances for the club in all competitions during his loan spell.[41]

Loan to Sturm Graz

On 9 January 2024, Jaroš signed a new contract with Liverpool and joined Austrian Bundesliga second-placed club Sturm Graz.[42] He made the first European appearance of his career on 15 February 2024 in a 4–1 win over Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Europa Conference League.[43] On 1 May 2024, he was part of the side that won the 2023–24 Austrian Cup after 2–1 victory over Rapid Wien in the final.[44] He made 21 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell which concluded with winning the 2023–24 Austrian Bundesliga to complete the double and end Red Bull Salzburg's 10 year long title winning streak.[45]

International career

Jaroš has represented Czech Republic at various underage levels,[46] with first call-up to the Czech Republic U21 team coming in September 2021.[47] He debuted for said youth team in a 3–0 victory against Andorra U21 on 29 March 2022.[48]

Jaroš was named in the senior Czech Republic squad for the first time for the March 2024 friendly matches against Norway and Armenia.[49] In May 2024, he was named as part of the squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament.[50] Jaroš debuted on 7 June 2024 in a 7–1 friendly victory against Malta in Grödig, Austria, coming as a substitute to Matěj Kovář at half-time.[51]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Liverpool U212020–212020
Liverpool2019–20Premier League000000000000
2020–21Premier League000000000000
2021–22Premier League0000000000
2022–23Premier League0000000000
2023–24Premier League0000000000
2024–25Premier League0000000000
Total000000000000
St Patrick's Athletic (loan)2021LOI Premier Division34050390
Notts County (loan)2021–22National League15000150
Stockport County (loan)2022–23League Two110002000130
Sturm Graz (loan)2023–24Austrian Bundesliga1403040210
Total74080204020900

Honours

Liverpool Youth

2018–19[52]

St Patrick's Athletic

2021[22]

Sturm Graz

2023–24[45]

2023–24[44]

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023/24 Premier League squad lists . Premier League . 13 September 2023 . 14 September 2023.
  2. Web site: Vitezslav Jaros. Liverpool F.C.. 23 March 2021.
  3. Web site: Liverpool lift the 2019 FA Youth Cup After Shootout Victory Over Manchester City . . 23 March 2021.
  4. Web site: Matchdetails from Tranmere Rovers - Liverpool played on Thursday 11 July 2019 . LFCHistory.net . 23 March 2021.
  5. Web site: Hunter. Steve. Vitezslav Jaros injury update. Liverpool F.C.. 23 March 2021.
  6. Web site: Liverpool 1:0 Shrewsbury . BBC Sport . 23 March 2021.
  7. Web site: Vitezslav Jaros signs new contract with Liverpool FC. Liverpool F.C.. 23 March 2021.
  8. Web site: Czech Republic - V. Jaroš - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. int.soccerway.com.
  9. Web site: Shaw. Chris. Vitezslav Jaros joins St Patrick's Athletic on loan. Liverpool F.C.. 23 March 2021.
  10. Web site: Healy. Martin. St Pat's Athletic confirm signing of up-and-coming Liverpool star. Extra.ie. 23 March 2021.
  11. Web site: Shamrock Rovers 1 - St Patrick's Athletic 1. St Patrick's Athletic F.C.. 23 March 2021.
  12. Web site: Fennessy. Paul. Liverpool loanee praised after impressing on League of Ireland debut. the42.ie. 23 March 2021.
  13. Web site: Hodrien. Brendan. Stephen O'Donnell has heaped praise on loanee Vitezslav Jaros. the42.ie. 23 March 2021.
  14. Web site: O'Donnell. Jake. Coughlan the match-winner as Pats pip Bohs in Dalymount. rte.ie. 16 April 2021.
  15. Web site: Shaw. Chris. Loan watch: Wilson hits sublime hat-trick, Grujic nets for Porto. liverpoolfc.com. Liverpool F.C.. 6 May 2021.
  16. Web site: St Patrick's Athletic FC on Twitter: JAROS WINS SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR!. twitter.com. 15 November 2021.
  17. Web site: LFC youth named Player of the Season as loan nears end. 13 November 2021.
  18. Web site: Liverpool have future Alisson heir who has already won Player of the Season. Emmet. Gates. 15 November 2021. Liverpool.com.
  19. Web site: Liverpool goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros named St Patrick's Athletic Player of the Year - Tribal Football. www.tribalfootball.com.
  20. Web site: Liverpool Loan Watch: Jaros Player Of The Year, Woodburn And Glatzel On The Mark. Cruyff Turns. Anonymous. 16 November 2021. The Liverpool Offside.
  21. Web site: Loanee Liverpool Goalkeeper Viteszlav Jaros Wins Player Of The Year For St Patricks Athletic. Chris. Stonadge. Sports Illustrated.
  22. Web site: Benson spot on as Saints beat Bohs to lift the FAI Cup. Ed. Leahy. 28 November 2021. www.rte.ie.
  23. Web site: Vitezslav Jaros: The on-loan Liverpool keeper who is 'the best' Stephen O'Donnell has seen. David. Sneyd. 29 November 2021. Irish Examiner.
  24. Web site: Watch: Liverpool Loanee Keeper Vitezslav Jaros' Outstanding Saves In St Patrick's FAI Cup Final Win. Neil. Andrew. Sports Illustrated.
  25. Web site: 'No Ego Whatsoever' And 'Extra Gear' - Liverpool 20 Year Old On Alisson And Virgil Van Dijk. Neil. Andrew. Sports Illustrated.
  26. Web site: Liverpool's Czech keeper waiting on Klopp's wishes for next posting. John. Fallon. 29 November 2021. Irish Examiner.
  27. Web site: 'Magnificent signing' Jaros returns to Liverpool with perfect Pat's sign-off. Gavin. Cooney. The42.
  28. Web site: Jurgen Klopp hails Vitezslav Jaros after brilliant loan season with St Pat's. 3 December 2021. Pundit Arena.
  29. Web site: Kylie Murphy and Stephen Bradley scoop soccer writers awards. John. Fallon. 26 January 2022. Irish Examiner.
  30. Web site: Stephen Bradley and Kylie Murphy win 2021 SSE Airtricity/SWI Personality of the Year awards. Irish Independent.
  31. Web site: Kylie Murphy named first-ever SWI women's personality of the year. Conor. O'Donoghue. The Irish Post.
  32. Web site: Liverpool FC - Vitezslav Jaros joins Notts County on loan. www.liverpoolfc.com. Liverpool F.C..
  33. Web site: Jaros Czechs in. www.nottscountyfc.co.uk. Notts County F.C..
  34. Web site: Notts County sign Liverpool keeper Vitezslav Jaros. Leigh. Curtis. 27 January 2022. NottinghamshireLive.
  35. Web site: Chesterfield 3-1 Notts County. www.bbc.com.
  36. Web site: Notts County 2-0 Eastleigh. www.bbc.com.
  37. Web site: Goalkeeper Jaros Czechs in!. 4 July 2022. Stockport County F.C..
  38. Web site: Harrogate Town v Stockport County. www.bbc.com.
  39. Web site: Stockport County v Colchester United. www.bbc.com.
  40. Web site: Carabao Cup Match Report: County 0-0 Leicester City (Leicester win 3-1 on penalties) . 23 August 2022 .
  41. Web site: Czechia - V. Jaroš - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. int.soccerway.com.
  42. Web site: Vitezslav Jaros signs new LFC deal and joins Sturm Graz on loan. www.liverpoolfc.com. Liverpool F.C.. 9 January 2024. 9 January 2024.
  43. Web site: Sturm Graz 4 - 1 Slovan Bratislava | Football. The Guardian.
  44. Web site: SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz - SK Rapid | SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz Vereinshomepage. vereine.oefb.at.
  45. Web site: Loan watch: Vitezslav Jaros wins the Austrian Bundesliga with Sturm Graz - Liverpool FC. www.liverpoolfc.com. Liverpool F.C..
  46. Web site: Vitezslav Jaros Czech Republic U21 Euro. UEFA. 12 August 2024.
  47. Web site: Preview: Saints V Longford. www.stpatsfc.com. 3 September 2021.
  48. Web site: Andorra U21 vs. Czech Republic U21. Soccerway. 29 March 2022.
  49. Web site: Nominace na přípravné zápasy s Norskem a Arménií. Football Association of the Czech Republic. cs.
  50. Web site: Joe. Urquhart. Euro 2024: Vitezslav Jaros named in provisional Czechia squad. Liverpool F.C.. 28 May 2024.
  51. News: Jan. Malý. Češi si zastříleli, v přípravě na EURO rozdrtili bezmocného soupeře. Sport.cz. 7 June 2024. cs.
  52. News: Liverpool crowned FA Youth Cup winners after beating Manchester City on penalties . 25 April 2019 . The Daily Telegraph . 23 March 2021.