Bundesliga
Title-winning captain departs
Lukáš Hrádecký’s seven-year stay at Bayer Leverkusen has ended after the Finnish goalkeeper completed a move to Monaco.
Hrádecký was first choice in goal at Leverkusen since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2018, going on to make 286 competitive appearances - the third most by a goalkeeper at the club - and keep 86 clean sheets.
Watch: My Story with Lukáš Hrádecký
The 35-year-old goalkeeper was named club captain in 2021 and was therefore the man who got to the lift the Meisterschale as the Werkself claimed their first Bundesliga title as unbeaten champions under Xabi Alonso in 2023/24.
"I've played more professional matches for Leverkusen than I have for any other club, and I am very grateful for that," Hrádecký said in a statement on the club website.
"I lost my heart to the club and to the fantastic fans at the BayArena. But after the greatest success of my career, I now have the opportunity to work my way into the number-one spot in Monaco and continue playing in the Champions League."
Watch: Hrádecký's top 5 saves
The goalkeeper also lifted the DFB Cup – his second, having previously won it with Frankfurt in 2018 – as part of that historic Invincible domestic double alongside Jonathan Tah, who had mostly skippered the side through the cup competitions under Alonso, with Matěj Kovář preferred outside of Bundesliga action.
Although Kovář has now joined PSV Eindhoven on loan, the arrival of Mark Flekken meant even greater competition for the number one spot under new coach Erik ten Hag. That has led to the Bratislava-born 101-time Finland international now deciding to move on as he enters the final year of his contract at the BayArena.
Hrádecký leaves German football having played 323 Bundesliga games. That included a run of 54 straight appearances without losing between May 2023 and March 2025, falling just short of Jérôme Boateng’s all-time league record of 56.
Having recently returned from their pre-season tour to Brazil, the Werkself kick off their new campaign under Ten Hag against Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the DFB Cup on 15 August. Their opening Bundesliga game is at home to Hoffenheim eight days later.