Petr Čech has completed a sensational transfer to the Chelmsford Chieftains, the former Chelsea, Arsenal, and Czech Republic goalkeeper has announced.
Čech joins the Chieftains from the Guildford Phoenix, for whom he made 20 appearances between 2019 and 2022. Despite returning to the sport after many years away, the 40-year-old was an impressive performer between the pipes and departs the club with a .931 save percentage.
He was also an important member of the Chieftains squad that won a memorable treble in 2021-22, ending the season with a league-best goals-against average of 1.73.
Chelmsford Chieftains agree one-year contract with Petr Čech
Čech’s move to the Chieftains will see him participate in the first division of the NIHL South for the first time, making his debut versus the Oxford Stars on Sunday [6 November].
Čech, who played junior hockey in the Czech Republic before turning his attention to football, is thrilled to be a Chieftain.
“I’m excited for a new challenge with the Chieftains and I’m looking forward to helping the team reach their targets for the season,” he said.
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Petr said on signing for the Cheiftains ‘I’m excited for a new challenge with the Chieftains and I’m looking forward to helping the team reach their targets for the season’. pic.twitter.com/kU25XZ46Eg
— Chelmsford Chieftains (@chiefsicehockey) November 6, 2022
Chelmsford head coach Mark Saunders added: “Having a netminder of Petr’s quality and experience come into our squad is a huge boost for us right now. He brings a winning mentality, a desire to compete every single time he’s on the ice, and we look forward to seeing him add to our group this season.”
In an official statement, a club spokesperson said: “Petr comes in after having a stellar campaign with the Guildford Phoenix last season, winning everything on offer with the Surrey side in a famous treble.”
Petr Čech served as a technical advisor at Stamford Bridge between 2019 and 2022 (Image: Chelsea FC)
In his first career, Čech was widely viewed as one of the best goalkeepers to appear in the Premier League. He owns the record for most clean sheets (202), clean sheets in a single season (24), and Golden Gloves (four).
The Plzen-born goalkeeper made a total of 443 appearances in the Premier League, which he won four times with Chelsea. He also hoisted the Champions League and seven domestic cups.
