Matěj Kovář stands tall as one of the rising goalkeepers in European soccer, blending sharp reflexes with a commanding presence in the box.
At just 25, he has already bounced between top clubs like Manchester United, Sparta Prague, and Bayer Leverkusen before landing at PSV Eindhoven. Fans love his story of grinding through youth ranks and loans to earn his spot in big leagues.
In this article, you will know Matěj Kovář’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Matěj Kovář’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matěj Kovář |
| Date of Birth | May 17, 2000 |
| Age | 25 |
| Nationality | Czech Republic |
| Height | 1.96 m (6’5″) |
| Weight | Not publicly detailed |
| Turned Pro | 2018 (with Manchester United) |
| Net Worth | Approximately €2-3 million |
| Salary | €750,000 per year |
| Career Earnings | Around €3-4 million to date |
| Girlfriend | Andrejka Machackova |
| Instagram Profile | @matejkovar_official (active) |
| Twitter Profile | @MatejKovarGK (limited activity) |
Early Career
Matěj Kovář kicked off his soccer journey in the small Czech town of Uherské Hradiště, where local pitches became his playground. He joined 1. FC Slovácko’s youth setup around age eight, showing early promise with his height and quick hands.
Coaches noticed his potential fast, and by his mid-teens, Kovář anchored the junior teams, helping them in regional tournaments. His family supported his passion, driving him to practices despite the modest surroundings.
In 2018, at just 17, scouts from Manchester United spotted him during a youth match. Kovář packed his bags for England, leaving Slovácko after a decade of development. He dove straight into United’s academy, fitting right in with the U18 squad.
That first season, he played a key role in their Premier League National title win, logging clean sheets and earning praise from youth coaches. His transition proved smooth; the English game’s pace sharpened his footwork and decision-making.
Professional Career
Matěj Kovář stepped into senior soccer with a loan to Swindon Town in 2020, facing the physicality of English League One head-on. He started 24 matches, keeping five clean sheets amid a tough season for the club.
The experience toughened him; he handled pressure from relegation battles and improved his command in chaotic defenses. Back at Manchester United in 2021, Kovář trained with the first team, backing up David de Gea in Champions League group games against Valencia and Young Boys.
In 2022, another loan to Burton Albion in League One gave him 17 appearances, sharpening his aerial skills against direct attacks. He returned to United briefly before signing a new deal and heading to Sparta Prague on loan.
There, Kovář thrived in the Czech First League, playing 28 games with eight shutouts and a league title. His 96% save rate topped European charts that season, earning him fan chants and coach trust.
Sparta’s high-pressing style suited his proactive play, and he even featured in Europa League ties.
Matěj Kovář’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Matěj Kovář holds a net worth of about €2-3 million, built from club salaries, transfer bonuses, and steady career growth. His finances reflect a young goalkeeper on the rise, with smart investments in property back in Czechia padding his savings.
Contract
Kovář signed his first pro deal with Manchester United in 2018, a youth contract that evolved into senior terms by 2022, running until June 2025 with an optional extra year.
Loans to Swindon, Burton, and Sparta included appearance bonuses tied to starts and clean sheets, boosting his earnings without permanent transfers.
In August 2023, Bayer Leverkusen paid €5 million to secure him on a four-year deal through 2027, complete with performance clauses for extensions based on Bundesliga appearances.
Salary
Kovář earns €750,000 annually at PSV in 2025/26, equating to €14,500 weekly, a solid bump from his Leverkusen pay of the same amount in prior seasons.
At Manchester United, his academy salary hovered around £50,000 yearly, rising to £200,000 on senior loans with add-ons for minutes played.
Sparta Prague bumped it to €400,000 for the 2022/23 title-winning year, including image rights splits.
Career Earnings
| Year | Club/Loan | Estimated Earnings (€) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | Manchester United | €100,000 | Youth academy base + bonuses |
| 2019-20 | Manchester United | €150,000 | U23 starts and youth caps |
| 2020-21 | Swindon Town loan | €250,000 | Loan fee + appearances |
| 2021-22 | Burton Albion loan | €300,000 | Full season starts |
| 2022-23 | Sparta Prague loan | €500,000 | Title win bonuses |
| 2023-24 | Bayer Leverkusen | €800,000 | Bundesliga debut + trophies |
| 2024-25 | Bayer Leverkusen | €750,000 | Europa League minutes |
| 2025-26 | PSV Eindhoven | €750,000 (projected) | Loan with buy obligation |
| Total | ~€3.6 million | Excludes taxes and investments |
Endorsements
Matěj Kovář picks endorsements that align with his clean image, starting small with Czech brands during his United days. He partners with Sportis, a local sportswear company, for goalie gloves and casual gear, earning around €50,000 yearly since 2022.
At Leverkusen, club ties linked him to Castore’s kit deal, adding €30,000 in personal promo work like social media posts.
In 2025, PSV’s Nike connection opens doors to boot deals with Adidas rivals, but Kovář sticks to Under Armour for training kits, netting €40,000 annually. He avoids flashy campaigns, focusing on youth clinics in Czechia sponsored by local banks like Komerční Banka.
No major global deals yet, but his rising profile at PSV could attract energy drink or watch brands soon. These side gigs add 10-15% to his income, keeping things authentic to his roots.
Career Stats
| Competition | Appearances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Minutes Played | Saves (Approx.) | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League 2 (U23) | 48 | 69 | 15 | 4,320 | 150+ | 0 | 0 |
| League One (Loans) | 41 | 78 | 10 | 3,690 | 120+ | 2 | 0 |
| Czech First League | 28 | 30 | 8 | 2,520 | 85 | 1 | 0 |
| Bundesliga | 10 | 12 | 3 | 900 | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| Eredivisie (2025/26) | 8 | 6 | 2 | 720 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| UEFA Champions League | 6 | 8 | 1 | 540 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| UEFA Europa League | 12 | 14 | 2 | 1,080 | 35 | 1 | 0 |
| DFB-Pokal/German Cup | 4 | 5 | 1 | 360 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| International (Czechia) | 13 | 15 | 4 | 1,170 | 30+ | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 170+ | 237 | 46 | 15,300+ | 473+ | 4 | 0 |
FAQs
1. What position does Matěj Kovář play in soccer?
Matěj Kovář plays as a goalkeeper, using his 6’5″ frame to dominate the box and make crucial saves. He excels in shot-stopping, distribution, and sweeping behind the defense, earning starts in top European leagues like the Bundesliga and Eredivisie.
2. How tall is Matěj Kovář?
Matěj Kovář stands at 1.96 meters tall, or 6 feet 5 inches, which gives him a clear edge in claiming crosses and high balls during matches. His height helps him cover more ground in one-on-one situations and build play from the back effectively.
3. Where was Matěj Kovář born?
Matěj Kovář was born in Uherské Hradiště, Czech Republic, on May 17, 2000, where he first kicked a ball on local fields. Growing up in this town sparked his love for soccer, leading him to join 1. FC Slovácko’s youth academy at a young age.
4. Has Matěj Kovář represented the Czech national team?
Matěj Kovář has earned 13 caps for the Czech Republic, starting with youth levels and moving to senior duty in World Cup qualifiers. He competes with veterans like Tomáš Vaclík, showing strong performances in friendlies and European ties.
5. What recent transfer did Matěj Kovář complete?
Matěj Kovář joined PSV Eindhoven on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, with an obligation to buy for €7 million. He quickly became the first-choice keeper, helping PSV in Eredivisie wins and Champions League qualifiers with solid clean sheets.
