Legia to lose their best goalkeeper and for free

Slovakia’s No. 1 goalkeeper will move to Liverpool in the summer, joining Martin Skrtel in the city. However, Ján Mucha will not become a teammate of the two-time Slovak Player of the Year, as his path leads to Skrtel’s city rivals, Everton.

Even though neither side has officially confirmed the deal, Polish media have no doubt that the 27-year-old Legia Warsaw goalkeeper is heading to Goodison Park. They point, among other things, to a report in The Times, which also stated that the Slovak keeper had signed for Everton.

Polish outlets, with irony, described it as the resolution of “the most closely guarded mystery of the 21st century,” writing of a “Slovak transfer” and even a “comedy.” The website of Gazeta Wyborcza lamented that Legia would lose the best goalkeeper in the Polish league – and for free. “I know I said I wouldn’t leave for free, but nobody wanted to pay for me,” Przeglad Sportowy quoted Mucha as saying, while he also thanked Legia for the excellent contract offer they had made him. “I really appreciate it,” he added.

Mucha will report to Everton on July 1, when he becomes a free agent (his contract with Legia runs until the end of the spring season). He signed a three-year deal in Malaga on Wednesday, where the Polish club is holding its training camp. Present at the signing were Mucha, his agent Jozef Tokos, and club representatives.

Although many details are already known, no one has officially revealed the name of Mucha’s new employer. Tokos explained that this was a clear wish of the club. The reasons are not entirely clear. “It’s a bit of an unusual request, and I think this information won’t remain secret for long, but I will respect the agreement,” Tokos told Pravda. “The reason could be that the club has several young, talented goalkeepers, and they don’t want to demotivate them mid-season by announcing the arrival of another experienced keeper.”

The agent confirmed that there had been huge interest in Mucha, with as many as 30 clubs inquiring. The goalkeeper from Bela nad Cirochou told Przeglad Sportowy that he had seven serious offers to choose from. He rejected Turkish side Trabzonspor, which tempted him with arguably the best conditions, including an annual salary of €1 million.

For Mucha, it may actually be better to join Everton after the World Cup. He could hardly be guaranteed the starting spot immediately, as he faces stiff competition. Everton’s No. 1 is the soon-to-be 31-year-old Tim Howard, the American international who has made 48 appearances for his country.

According to Tokos, it is not yet certain whether Mucha will play in the spring part of the season for Legia. “His loan to a club in a top league is still an option. But he would need the guarantee of regular playing time,” Tokos explained. Legia would also have to agree to such a move, which is not impossible, since in that case they would at least receive some money for him.