Czech side FK Dukla Prague has officially announced the transfer of Latvian national team goalkeeper Rihards Matrevics. The 26-year-old, who stands at an imposing 202 cm, makes the move after spending just half a season with FK Auda.
In a farewell message to the club, Matrevics expressed heartfelt gratitude:
“Thank you to the entire coaching staff, especially Jurģis Kalns and goalkeeping coach Anthony McMullen, for their support and trust! Thanks to all the FK Auda staff and players for welcoming me like family and supporting me both on and off the pitch. A special thanks to physiotherapist Dāvis and coach Dani for their relentless professionalism and helping me reach peak form. Though I only spent half a season with FK Auda, I take with me many warm memories from my time here. Wishing the team all the best and resilience for the rest of the season!” said Matrevics.
A product of the Babīte academy, Matrevics moved to England in his teenage years to join the West Ham United academy. There, he featured in various youth squads before moving on to several lower-tier English clubs. He returned to Latvia in 2021 to join Valmiera FC, where he was instrumental in the club’s 2022 league title win. This was followed by a stint with Riga FC, and earlier this year, he signed with FK Auda. In 13 appearances for the club, he recorded an impressive seven clean sheets.
Commenting on the signing, Dukla Prague sporting director Martin Hašek said:
“Matrevics arrives at an age when goalkeepers truly begin to mature. He has excellent physical attributes and a strong mindset. He spent several years in England and has represented the Latvian national team. This move to Dukla represents a step up in competition, and I believe it’s a great career move for him. I wish him all the best and plenty of success.”
Matrevics has earned 13 caps for the Latvian national team and featured in a 0–0 draw against Azerbaijan during the June international window.
Dukla Prague returned to the Czech top division last season and finished 14th out of 16 teams, narrowly securing their place through a dramatic penalty shootout in the relegation playoffs. The team’s starting goalkeeper was 30-year-old Slovak Matúš Hruška. Notably, former Latvian international Kaspars Gorkšs concluded his overseas career with Dukla during the 2015/16 season.
According to Baltic Football News information, FK Auda will receive €60,000 for the transfer of Matrevics.
Source: https://www.fkdukla.cz/article/9103-Duklu-posilil-Rihards-Matrevics
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