Jindřich Staněk

Jindřich Staněk (born 27 April 1996) is a Czech professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Czech First League side Slavia Prague and the Czech Republic national team.

Club career Early career and time in England Staněk started his career with Sparta Prague, appearing on the bench for the first team on three occasions in 2013. On 31 January 2014, he joined Premier League club Everton on a -year deal for an undisclosed fee. On 29 September 2015, Staněk joined Hyde United on a one-month loan deal, going on to make five appearances for the club. In June 2016, having made just two appearances on the bench for Everton,

Return to the Czech Republic In September 2016, Staněk returned to the Czech Republic and signed for Dynamo České Budějovice, later being sent on loan with Třebíč in 2017. He made his Czech National Football League debut for České Budějovice on 24 September 2017 against FK Baník Sokolov.

Staněk joined Viktoria Plzeň on loan in January 2020, making his league debut in a goalless draw against Baník Ostrava on 5 July. He signed for the club permanently on 3 January 2021, playing the entire 2020–21 Czech Cup final against Slavia Prague on 20 May, which Plzeň lost 1–0. At the end of the season, Staněk was shortlisted for the Best Player Award together with Adam Hložek and Tomáš Holeš, which Holeš went on to win. In July 2022, Staněk extended his contract with Viktoria Plzeň until 2025.

On 5 January 2024, Staněk signed a contract with Slavia Prague until 2027 as part of a swap transfer with midfielders Lukáš Červ and Matěj Valenta. He made his league debut for the club in a goalless draw against Sparta Prague on 3 March 2024.

International career Staněk represented Czech Republic at every youth international level from under-16 to under-21.

Staněk debuted for the Czech senior squad on 5 September 2021 in a 2022 World Cup qualification against Belgium, ending in a 3–0 away loss. He entered the game in the 12th minute for the injured Tomáš Vaclík, with the Czech Republic already down 1–0.

On 29 May 2024, Staněk was included in the final Czech squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.

On 31 May 2026, Staněk was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Personal life Outside football, Staněk also creates rap songs under the stage name Ejaytime. In January 2025, he and his wife welcomed twin daughters.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Sparta Prague Czech First League: 2013–14 Czech Cup: 2013–14

Dynamo Ceske Budejovice Czech National Football League: 2018–19

Viktoria Plzen Czech First League: 2021–22

Slavia Prague Czech First League: 2024–25, 2025–26

Individual Czech First League Goalkeeper of the Year: 2021–22