Wolves have signed Ladislav Krejci from Girona on loan with an option to buy for €30m. The 26-year-old centre-back has also played for Sparta Prague, played in Euro 2024, and Champions League. Wolves have also rejected two offers from Newcastle United for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have bolstered their defensive options by securing the services of Czech Republic international Ladislav Krejci from Girona. The 26-year-old centre-back arrives at Molineux on an initial loan deal, with an option for the Premier League club to make the transfer permanent.
The loan agreement reportedly involves Wolves paying a €7 million fee to the La Liga side. Should Krejci impress and meet certain performance-related clauses, Wolves can trigger a permanent transfer for a further €23 million, bringing the total potential value of the deal to €30 million.
Krejci's move to Wolves marks his first foray into English football. He joined Girona last year from Sparta Prague, where he was captain and a key figure. His performances for both club and country have attracted attention, and Wolves have moved swiftly to secure his signature.
Prior to joining Girona, Krejci enjoyed a successful spell with Sparta Prague, showcasing his leadership qualities and goal-scoring ability from defence. He captained the side and demonstrated his versatility by contributing significantly in both defence and attack. Krejci's experience in European competitions, including the Europa League and Champions League, will be invaluable to Wolves as they aim to compete on multiple fronts.
Krejci's career has been on an upward trajectory in recent years. He was a mainstay in the Czech Republic's Euro 2024 campaign, starting all three of their matches. Following the Euros, he joined Girona and quickly established himself as a regular in the team, making 36 appearances, including seven in the Champions League group stage.
Known for his penalty-taking prowess, Krejci was a reliable figure from the spot for Sparta Prague. In 109 appearances in the Czech top flight, he registered an impressive 46 goal involvements, scoring 34 goals and providing 12 assists. His ability to contribute offensively from defence adds another dimension to his game.
During the 2022-23 season, Krejci played a pivotal role in Sparta Prague's title-winning campaign, scoring 13 goals and providing two assists in 19 appearances. He continued his impressive form the following season as Sparta secured their second successive league title.
Krejci has expressed his excitement about joining Wolves and playing in the Premier League. "It's exciting, the biggest league in the world, a big achievement for myself… it’s a dream," he told the Wolves website. He hopes that his experiences in the Czech league, European competitions, and La Liga will serve him well in his new challenge.
"I hope all my past experiences from Sparta, from the Europa League, from the Champions League, from LaLiga, will help," he added. Krejci has reportedly agreed to a four-year contract with Wolves, which will be activated if the permanent move goes through.
Krejci becomes Wolves' fifth signing of the current transfer window, joining Fer Lopez, Jhon Arias, David Moller Wolfe, and Jackson Tchatchoua. The club is also keen to further strengthen their squad before the transfer deadline, with a forward and a central midfielder on their radar.
In other news, Wolves have reportedly turned down two offers from Newcastle United for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, with the second offer said to be in the region of £55 million. Wolves are determined to hold onto their key players as they aim to build on their progress under manager Gary O'Neil.