A closer look at our latest Terrier’s career to date
- Tomáš Vaclík signs for Huddersfield Town
- Goalkeeper is full international and Europa League winner
- A look back at his decorated career to date
Born in Ostrava in the north-east of the Czech Republic in 1989, the now 33-year-old’s career began with MFK Vítkovice in his homeland, spending four years with the club between 2006-2010, making 52 senior appearances.
Moving on to FK Viktoria Žižkov in 2010, Vaclík helped the club gain promotion to the Czech top flight in his first season, catching the eye of several major sides in the process. Staying with Žižkov until January 2012, he made the move to Sparta Prague in the capital for a significant fee.
Building on appearances with the Czech national team at several youth levels – from the under 16 side to the under 21s – it was in 2011 that he received his first senior international call up, earning his first cap for the side in 2012.
Staying with Sparta Prague for two years – winning the Czech title in the 2013/14 season - Vaclík made the move to Swiss giants FC Basel in 2014 and got his first taste of UEFA Champions League football with the side, making it to the knockout stages of the competition in his first full season with the club. Winning the Swiss title in three consecutive seasons between his arrival in 2014 and 2017, he also added a Swiss Cup to his collection in the 2016/17 season.
A move to La Liga with Spanish side Sevilla was Tomáš’ next move in the summer of 2018 after 169 appearances in Switzerland in all competitions, the highlight of his time in Seville was winning the UEFA Europa League in the 2019/20 season, qualifying for the 2020 UEFA Super Cup which they were runners-up to Bayern Munich in.
Having established himself at the first choice goalkeeper for the Czech Republic from 2015 onward, Vaclík maintained his place in goal for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament in 2021, playing for his national side against England, Scotland and Croatia in the group stages, qualifying from third place for the Round of 16. Beating the Netherlands in the first knockout round, they were eventually beaten in the quarter finals 2-1 by Denmark.
Taking the option to leave Sevilla in 2021 after three years and 94 appearances in Spain, it was Greek champions Olympiacos next for Vaclík, where he immediately took over as the first choice goalkeeper. Winning the Greek title in his first season at the club in 2021/22, the club again gave him the opportunity of playing in European competitions as a result.
Coming to an agreement to terminate his contract in Greece in January 2023, the goalkeeper joined us here at Huddersfield Town for his first move into English football having experienced playing in the country through the EUFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Euro 2020 in his career already.
To read more about our latest Terrier CLICK HERE, and to see his first interview with HTTV, CLICK HERE!
