BELFAST Giants have announced the signing of former Arsenal and Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech on loan as temporary emergency cover.
The former Premiership goalkeeper played over 440 Premier League games during a decorated 15-year career and represented Czech Republic national team 124 times.
After calling time on his impressive football career, Cech turned his attention towards his other passion – ice hockey – and signed for side Guildford Phoenix in October 2019 before moving to Chelmsford Chieftains and then onto Oxford City Stars as their goaltender for the 2023-24 season after a successful stint.
The legendary goalkeeper is no stranger to Belfast, having played in a charity exhibition game which took place at the SSE Arena in April 2023 as part of a purpose-built Belfast Giants All-Stars roster against Ukrainian side Dnipro Kherson to raise money for a charity to support those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
Read More :
- On This Day in 2012 – Chelsea beat Bayern Munich to claim first Champions League
- Belfast Giants fall to home defeat to Cardiff Devils
- New signing Johnny Curran: 'Keefe sold Belfast Giants vision to me'
The opportunity for the decorated goalkeeper to make a shock return to Belfast presented itself after netminder Jackson Whistle sustained an injury in the first period of their 5-2 win over the Glasgow Clan in October, leaving the Giants short of netminder options.
Ice-hockey fans in Belfast will no doubt be excited at the prospect of watching the legendary former Chelsea goalkeeper take to the ice given his profile and popularity having played football’s top-flight for many years.
Adam Keefe, head coach of the Belfast Giants, said: “We’re very appreciative of the support of both the Oxford City Stars and Petr himself. Petr is a highly decorated athlete, who knows what it takes to perform at the highest level, so his support during this loan period will be invaluable.”
