The signing of Mark Flekken has caused quite a stir in the goalkeeper merry-go-round at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Following Matej Kovar, Lukas Hradecky, the long-standing number 1 and captain of the championship team, is now also leaving the Werkself. The Finn is moving to AS Monaco.
When Bayer 04 Leverkusen signed Mark Flekken (31) for a good €11 million plus bonuses – the highest transfer fee for a goalkeeper in the club’s history – it was clear that there would be upheaval between the posts in Leverkusen. With Flekken set to be the new number one, there were shifts in the goalkeeping hierarchy: both Matej Kovar, who was something of a “1b” keeper last season, and Lukas Hradecky had to ask themselves about their personal futures.
The 25-year-old Kovar, who did not want to slow down his personal development, moved to PSV Eindhoven (on loan with an obligation to buy), while Hradecky took a little more time to think things over.
The 35-year-old Finn, whose contract in Leverkusen was only valid until the end of the season, had been combative (“I won’t give up my place – let’s see if there’s a hybrid model in terms of playing time”), but also avoided making a clear commitment to Bayer. “I have a contract in Leverkusen, but I can’t promise anything. I will definitely consider it if a unique offer comes from somewhere where I can play regularly,” he recently told Finnish newspaper Iltalehti.
And that offer came from the Principality of Monaco in the form of a two-year contract with an option for a third season. The French first division club convinced the professional to make the move and subsequently reached an agreement with Bayer. The club will receive a transfer fee of around three million euros plus bonuses, while Hradecky, unlike in Leverkusen, will have the opportunity to continue playing as the number one goalkeeper in the Champions League.
“Despite his contract still having a year to run, we have granted Lukas Hradecky an early release after very amicable talks. It was his wish to be able to play as number one in the Champions League again after a great and intense time at Bayer 04,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes, quoting the club on the departure of their long-serving player. Praise included: “Lukas has made many friends at our club, both as a professional and as a person, and has made sporting history. He will always remain a part of Bayer 04.”
Farewell after seven years
After seven years, this era in Leverkusen has come to an end. The 101-time Finnish international joined Leverkusen from Frankfurt in the summer of 2018/19 and immediately established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper. Hradecky made a total of 286 appearances for the Werkself and was an important part of the team that won the double (the league title without defeat and the cup) in 2023/24.
Hradecky will always cherish this great achievement and all his years at Bayer 04, as the keeper himself noted: “Leverkusen is the club where I have played the most professional games, and I am very grateful for that. I lost my heart to the club and the fantastic fans at the BayArena. But after the greatest success of my career, I now have the chance to earn the number one spot in Monaco and continue playing in the Champions League.“ The veteran also has one wish: ”It would be really great to return to Leverkusen in this way.”
