Petr Čech facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Petr Čech

Čech with Arsenal in 2019
Personal information
Born	(1982-05-20) 20 May 1982 (age 43) Plzeň, Czechoslovakia
Alma mater	Longford International College (MBA)
Height	1.96 m
Association football career Position(s) Goalkeeper Youth career 1989–1999 Viktoria Plzeň Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 1999–2001 Chmel Blšany 27 (0) 2001–2002 Sparta Prague 27 (0) 2002–2004 Rennes 70 (0) 2004–2015 Chelsea 333 (0) 2015–2019 Arsenal 110 (0) Total 567 (0) International career 1997–1998 Czech Republic U15 3 (0) 1998–1999 Czech Republic U16 15 (0) 1999 Czech Republic U17 3 (0) 1999–2000 Czech Republic U18 13 (0) 2000–2001 Czech Republic U20 7 (0) 2001–2002 Czech Republic U21 15 (0) 2002–2016 Czech Republic 124 (0) Medal record Men's football Representing  Czech Republic UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 2002 Switzerland *Club domestic league appearances and goals
Ice hockey career Weight 92 kg (203 lb; 14 st 7 lb) Position Goaltender Catches Right NIHL team Former teams Oxford City Stars Guildford Phoenix Chelmsford Chieftains Belfast Giants Playing career 2019–present

Petr Čech (born 20 May 1982) is a famous Czech former football player. He played as a goalkeeper. Many people think he is one of the best goalkeepers ever. Some even say he is the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history. After retiring from football, he became an ice hockey goaltender. He currently plays for the Oxford City Stars in the NIHL South Division 1.

Čech started his professional football career in 1999 with Chmel Blšany. He then moved to Sparta Prague in 2001. At just 19 years old, he became a regular player. During his time there, he set a league record by not letting in a goal for 903 minutes. This amazing performance led him to move to France. He joined Ligue 1 team Rennes in 2002.

In 2004, Čech joined Chelsea in England for a record fee for a goalkeeper at that time. He played for Chelsea for eleven years. He made 494 appearances, which is a lot for the club. He helped Chelsea win four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, one UEFA Champions League title, and one UEFA Europa League title. He also holds Chelsea's record for the most clean sheets, with 228. In 2015, Čech moved to Arsenal, where he won another FA Cup before he stopped playing football in 2019.

Čech also played for the Czech Republic. He made his debut in 2002. He is the player with the most appearances for the Czech national team, with 124 games. He played for his country in the 2006 World Cup and four European Championships. He was chosen for the Euro 2004 All-Star team. He was also the team's captain before he retired from international football in 2016. Čech has won the Czech Footballer of the Year and Czech Golden Ball awards many times.

Čech holds several goalkeeping records. He reached 100 clean sheets in the Premier League faster than anyone else, in just 180 games. He also has the most clean sheets in a single season (24) and the most clean sheets in Premier League history (202). He is the only goalkeeper to win the Premier League Golden Glove award with two different clubs. He won it four times in total. In 2005, he was named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper. He also went 1,025 minutes without letting in a goal in the 2004–05 season, which was a league record.

Football Career Highlights

Starting Out as a Striker

Petr Čech began playing football at age seven for Škoda Plzeň. This club is now known as Viktoria Plzeň. When he was younger, he played as a striker. However, he changed to the goalkeeper position after breaking his leg at age ten. In June 1999, Čech joined Czech First League team Chmel Blšany. He played his first league game at 17 in October 1999.

Breaking Records at Sparta Prague

In January 2001, Čech signed a contract with Sparta Prague. He was 18 years old at the time. He stayed at Blšany until the end of the 2000–01 season. In November 2001, Čech broke a record. He went 855 minutes without letting in a goal in the Czech professional league. His amazing run ended on 17 November 2001, after 903 minutes.

Even though Čech did not win the league title with Sparta in 2002, English clubs like Arsenal became interested in him. This was because of his great performances in international games. However, he could not get a work permit, so a deal with Arsenal did not happen.

Moving to France with Rennes

In July 2002, Čech moved to the French club Rennes. He signed a four-year contract. The transfer fee was about €5.5 million.

During his first season in France, he was named man of the match against Paris Saint-Germain. In May 2003, Rennes was at the bottom of the league. But they avoided being moved down to a lower league by winning their final match.

Joining Chelsea Football Club

Chelsea tried to buy Čech in January 2004, but Rennes said no. However, in February, Rennes agreed to let Čech move to Chelsea for £7 million. Čech signed a five-year contract. He became the most expensive goalkeeper in Chelsea's history at that time.

Winning the Golden Glove and Premier League Titles

When Čech arrived at Chelsea, Carlo Cudicini was the main goalkeeper. But Cudicini got injured before the season started. This allowed Chelsea manager José Mourinho to make Čech the starting goalkeeper. He kept a clean sheet in his first Premier League game. Chelsea won 1–0 against Manchester United.

On 5 March 2005, Čech set a new Premier League record. He went 1,025 minutes without letting in a goal. This record was later broken by Edwin van der Sar. Čech finally let in a goal against Norwich City. He had kept a clean sheet since 12 December 2004. Čech received a special award for his record. He also won the Premier League Golden Glove award for the 2004–05 season. He had a record 24 clean sheets that season.

Chelsea won the Premier League title again in the 2005–06 season. Čech played in 34 league matches. Chelsea only let in 22 goals that season. In January 2006, he was named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper for 2005. He also won the Czech Footballer of the Year award for the first time.

Čech and Arjen Robben celebrate their second Premier League title in 2006

A Serious Head Injury

Čech got a serious head injury on 14 October 2006. This happened during a match against Reading. He collided with Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt. Hunt's knee hit Čech's head. Čech had to leave the game and was replaced by Carlo Cudicini. Cudicini also got hurt later in the same game. This meant Chelsea captain John Terry had to play in goal. Čech had surgery for a depressed skull fracture. Doctors later said the injury almost cost him his life. He also had bad headaches because of it. Chelsea won the match 1–0.

Chelsea manager José Mourinho blamed Hunt for Čech's injury. He called the challenge "a disgrace." Many people, including other goalkeepers, said the incident showed that goalkeepers needed more protection. Čech went home on 24 October 2006. Chelsea said he would be out for three months to recover fully. Čech later said he did not remember the injury happening.

Čech playing for Chelsea in 2007

Returning to Play with a Headguard

Čech returned to play on 20 January 2007. It was a Premier League match against Liverpool, which Chelsea lost 2–0. From then on, he wore a rugby-style headguard. He wore this headguard for the rest of his career to protect his head.

After his return, Čech went about 810 minutes in the Premier League without letting in a goal. On 11 April 2007, Čech won the Premier League Player of the Month award. This was because he had eight clean sheets in a row. He was the first goalkeeper to win this award since 2000.

Čech also kept a clean sheet in the 2007 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. Chelsea won 1–0 to win the FA Cup. Čech became the first goalkeeper to finish a competitive game unbeaten at the new Wembley Stadium.

Čech training for Chelsea in 2008

More Success and Trophies

Čech signed a new five-year contract in July 2008. This kept him at Chelsea until 2013. Chelsea started the 2008–09 season very well. They only let in 7 goals in 17 games. Čech kept 10 clean sheets during this time.

In November 2008, Chelsea beat Sunderland 5–0. This game was Čech's 100th match for Chelsea without letting in a goal. He also played his 200th game for the club in a 1–0 win over Juventus in the Champions League. Čech helped Chelsea win the 2009 FA Cup Final against Everton. Chelsea won 2–1, giving Čech his seventh trophy with the club.

Čech before Chelsea's first game of the 2008–09 season against Portsmouth

Winning the Double

Čech started the 2009–10 season by winning the Community Shield against Manchester United. He saved penalties from Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra. On 13 April, Čech achieved his 100th Premier League clean sheet for Chelsea. He won his second Premier League Golden Glove award that season. He had 17 clean sheets as Chelsea won their third Premier League title. He also saved a penalty in the FA Cup final. This helped Chelsea win the Cup and achieve their first domestic double (winning both the league and the FA Cup).

Čech training for Chelsea in 2010

Champions League Glory

Čech playing for Chelsea in 2010

On 7 March 2011, Čech played his 300th game for Chelsea. In May, he was voted the Chelsea Player of the Year for the first time.

On 27 February 2012, Čech was named the Czech Footballer of the Year for the fifth time. On 24 March, he played his 250th league game for Chelsea. Čech saved a penalty in extra time during the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich. He also saved two penalties in the penalty shoot-out. This led to Chelsea's first Champions League win. Čech was named the Fans' Man of the Match for his amazing performance. He signed a new four-year contract with Chelsea in May 2012.

Čech playing for Chelsea in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup

In May 2013, Čech won the UEFA Europa League with Chelsea. They beat Benfica 2–1 in the final.

Final Years at Chelsea

On 19 October 2013, Čech played his 300th Premier League game for Chelsea. On 11 January 2014, he kept his 209th clean sheet for Chelsea in all competitions. This broke the club record set by Peter Bonetti.

On 18 March 2014, Čech made his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance. He became only the fourth goalkeeper to reach this milestone. In April 2014, Čech got a shoulder injury. This meant he could not play for the rest of the 2013–14 season. Despite the injury, he shared the Premier League Golden Glove award. He had 16 clean sheets, tied with Wojciech Szczęsny.

For the 2014–15 season, Thibaut Courtois became Chelsea's main goalkeeper. Čech still played in some important games. On 1 March 2015, Čech started in goal for the 2015 Football League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur. He kept a clean sheet in a 2–0 win, winning the trophy for the third time.

Moving to Arsenal

Čech playing for Arsenal at the 2015 Emirates Cup

Čech joined Chelsea's rivals, Arsenal, on 29 June 2015. He signed a four-year contract. On 2 August, Čech won his first trophy with Arsenal. They beat his old club Chelsea 1–0 in the 2015 FA Community Shield. A week later, he played his first Premier League game for Arsenal.

On 28 December 2015, Čech recorded his 170th Premier League clean sheet. This set a new league record, passing David James. He was named the Premier League Goalkeeper of the season. This was for winning the Golden Glove award with Arsenal.

FA Cup Win and Retirement

Čech was the captain for Arsenal in their first game of the 2016–17 season. In September 2016, he played the full game as Arsenal beat Chelsea 3–0. On 24 April 2017, Čech played in the 2016–17 FA Cup semi-final. Arsenal won 2–1 against Manchester City. Čech was injured for the FA Cup Final. But Arsenal still beat Chelsea 2–1. Čech won his fifth FA Cup.

Čech during his final game as a player, the 2019 UEFA Europa League final

On 11 March 2018, Čech became the first Premier League goalkeeper to reach 200 league clean sheets. This happened after a match against Watford. On 15 January 2019, Čech announced he would retire at the end of the season. On 29 May, he played his final game. It was Arsenal's 4–1 loss to his former club Chelsea in the 2019 UEFA Europa League final.

International Football Career

Youth Team Success

Čech played for the Czech Republic's youth teams. He played 34 games for the under-15 to under-18 teams. In 2000, he moved up to the under-20 and under-21 teams. He played 22 games for them. Čech became well-known at the 2002 U-21 European Championships. He only let in one penalty in a penalty shoot-out win against France in the final. This helped the Czech Republic win their first youth title.

Playing for the Senior National Team

Čech playing for the Czech national football team in 2010

Čech played his first game for the senior team in February 2002. This was against Hungary. He became the main goalkeeper and was chosen for UEFA Euro 2004. He was named the best goalkeeper in the tournament's all-star team.

On 17 October 2007, Čech was the captain of the Czech Republic team. They beat Germany 3–0 away to qualify for Euro 2008. In the last group game of the tournament, Čech's team was knocked out by Turkey.

On 29 May 2012, Čech was part of the Czech Republic's squad for Euro 2012. He was captain in the final group match against Poland. The Czech Republic won 1–0 and reached the quarter-finals. They lost to Portugal in the quarter-final.

Reaching 100 Caps and Retiring

On 26 March 2013, Čech played his 100th game for the Czech Republic. He kept a clean sheet in a 3–0 win. On 27 May 2016, he broke the national record for most appearances. He played in a 6–0 friendly win over Malta.

On 8 July 2016, Čech announced he was retiring from international football. He is the most capped player for the Czech team, with 124 games.

Life After Football: Management and Ice Hockey

In June 2019, Čech returned to his former club Chelsea. He became a technical and performance advisor.

In October 2020, Čech was added to Chelsea's Premier League squad. This was as an emergency goalkeeper due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He played one game for Chelsea's under-23 team.

In June 2022, Čech left Chelsea.

Playing Ice Hockey

On 9 October 2019, Čech signed with the ice hockey team Guildford Phoenix. He became a goaltender in the National Ice Hockey League Division 2. He chose to wear jersey number 39 to honor Dominik Hašek. Čech said he would continue his role at Chelsea while playing ice hockey in his free time. He was named man of the match in his ice hockey debut on 13 October. He stopped two penalty shots in a shoot-out win.

After winning three titles with Guildford Phoenix in the 2021–22 season, Čech signed for Chelmsford Chieftains in November 2022. In June 2023, he joined Oxford City Stars.

In 2023, Čech played for the Elite Ice Hockey League champions, Belfast Giants, in a charity match. He joined the Giants on loan in November 2023 as temporary emergency cover. He played his first game for the Giants on 25 November. He returned to his main club in December. He then rejoined the Belfast Giants on loan again in February 2024.

Player Style and Recognition

Čech diving in an attempt to save Thibaut Courtois's penalty in Arsenal's 4–1 shoot-out victory in the 2017 FA Community Shield, against his former club Chelsea

Petr Čech is known as one of the best goalkeepers of his time. He was tall, athletic, and brave. He was also very good at making decisions and leading his team. He was famous for his quick reflexes and stopping shots. He was also good at knowing where to be on the field. He could organize his defense and handle crosses well.

Čech was also good at taking deep kicks and long throws. This helped Chelsea start quick counter-attacks. He was also known for saving penalties. He saved penalties in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final and the 2010 FA Cup final. He looked up to other great goalkeepers like Oliver Kahn, Peter Schmeichel, and Edwin van der Sar.

Many players, experts, and managers have praised Čech. Fellow goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon called Čech the best goalkeeper of his time. Iker Casillas said he was "One of the best goalkeepers I have ever seen." Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger called him "one of the greatest of all time."

Čech holds two Guinness World Records. These are for the most clean sheets in Premier League history and for winning the Premier League Golden Glove with two different clubs. In 2011, Čech was voted the third best goalkeeper of the first decade of the 21st century. He also has the third highest number of clean sheets (391) among all goalkeepers since the 2000s.

Personal Life

Petr Čech was born as one of three children (triplets) in Plzeň, Czechoslovakia. His siblings are his sister Šárka and brother Michal.

Čech married Martina Dolejšová in June 2003. They have a daughter named Adéla, born in 2008, and a son named Damián, born in 2009. Damián signed his first professional football contract with Fulham in 2025.

Petr Čech loves music and plays the drums. He has a YouTube channel where he posts videos of himself playing drum covers of songs by bands like Incubus, Coldplay, and Foo Fighters. He has even played with Roger Taylor from the band Queen. In May 2019, they released a charity song together. In 2020, he joined a folk rock band called Wills & The Willing as their drummer.

Besides his native Czech language, Čech also speaks English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Career Statistics

Football

Club

International

Ice hockey

Honours and Awards

Football Achievements

Chelsea

• Premier League: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2014–15
• FA Cup: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12
• Football League Cup: 2004–05, 2006–07, 2014–15; runner-up: 2007–08
• FA Community Shield: 2005, 2009
• UEFA Champions League: 2011–12; runner-up: 2007–08
• UEFA Europa League: 2012–13
• FIFA Club World Cup runner-up: 2012

Arsenal

• FA Cup: 2016–17
• FA Community Shield: 2015, 2017
• EFL Cup runner-up: 2017–18
• UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2018–19

Czech Republic U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2002

Individual Awards

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship Golden Player: 2002
• Ligue 1 Gardien d'Or: 2003–04
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2004
• Premier League Golden Glove: 2004–05, 2009–10, 2013–14, 2015–16
• PFA Team of the Year: 2004–05 Premier League, 2013–14 Premier League
• Czech Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016
• Golden Ball (Czech Republic): 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018
• IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper: 2005
• Best European Goalkeeper: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012
• UEFA Club Football Awards Best Goalkeeper: 2005, 2007, 2008
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2005
• ESM Team of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06
• Premier League Player of the Month: March 2007
• Chelsea Player of the Year: 2011
• Premier League Hall of Fame: 2023

Ice Hockey Achievements

Guildford Phoenix

• NIHL Division 2 South Regular Season: 2021–22
• NIHL Division 2 South Playoffs: 2021–22
• NIHL Division 2 South Cup: 2021–22

Individual Awards

• NIHL 2 South Player of the Month: January 2020

Special Recognition

• Honorary Silver Medal of Jan Masaryk: 2019

Records Held by Petr Čech

• Most Premier League Golden Glove awards: 4 (shared with Joe Hart)
• Most Premier League clean sheets: 202 clean sheets.
• Most Premier League clean sheets at one club: 162 with Chelsea.
• Most Premier League clean sheets in a season: 24 in 2004–05.
• First Premier League goalkeeper to reach 200 clean sheets.
• First Premier League goalkeeper to go 1000 minutes without conceding a goal.
• Fastest Premier League goalkeeper to reach 50 clean sheets: 82 appearances.
• Fastest Premier League goalkeeper to reach 100 clean sheets: 180 appearances.
• Only goalkeeper to have won the Premier League Golden Glove with different clubs.
• Most caps for Czech Republic national football team: 124 caps.
• Most Czech Footballer of the Year wins: 9 wins.
• Most Czech Republic Golden Ball wins: 11 wins.
• Most Champions League appearances by a Czech player: 111 appearances.
• Most Premier League appearances for Chelsea by a foreign player: 333 appearances.
• Most Premier League wins for Chelsea by a foreign player: 219 wins.
• Most appearances for Chelsea by a foreign player: 494 appearances.
• Most penalty saves for Chelsea by a foreign player: 8 penalty saves.
• Most starts for Chelsea in a season: 63 starts in 2012–13.
• Most major cup final appearances for Chelsea: 14 (shared with Frank Lampard).
• Most clean sheets for Chelsea: 227.
• Most clean sheets in a season for Chelsea: 28 clean sheets in 2004–05.
• Most consecutive clean sheets for Chelsea in all competitions: 7 in 2005–06 (shared record).
• Most consecutive home league clean sheets for Chelsea: 9 in 2009–10 - 2010–11 (shared record).
• Most consecutive home clean sheets for Chelsea in all competitions: 10 in 2009–10.
• Most consecutive league clean sheets for Chelsea: 10 in 2004–05.
• Most league clean sheets in a season for Chelsea: 24 in 2004–05.
• Most away league clean sheets in a season for Chelsea: 11 in 2004–05 & 2005–06.
• Most UEFA Best Club Goalkeeper Awards for a Premier League goalkeeper: 3 awards.
• One of four goalkeepers to have made consecutive appearances in the ESM Team of the Year (shared with Angelo Peruzzi, Oliver Kahn, and Manuel Neuer).

See also

In Spanish: Petr Čech para niños

• List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances
• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps