Ex-Premier League football star joins Belfast Giants ice hockey team
The 41-year-old played over 440 Premier League games during a decorated 15-year career
Former Premier League football star Petr Cech has joined the Belfast Giants ice hockey team.
The club confirmed that the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea goalkeeper has signed a loan agreement as temporary emergency cover.
Cech - who is the current shot-stopper with the Oxford City Stars - previously played for the Giants in April this year as part of a purpose-built All-Stars roster that took part in The Odyssey Trust’s Hockey Can’t Stop Tour game at The SSE Arena.
Read more: Rory McIlroy quits PGA Tour Policy Board as merger deadline looms
The one-off international game against Ukrainian side Dnipro Kherson raised over £65,000 for Ukrainian Hockey Dream – the registered charity of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine.
Adam Keefe, head coach of the Belfast Giants, said: “We’re very appreciative of the support of both the Oxford City Stars and Petr himself. Petr is a highly decorated athlete, who knows what it takes to perform at the highest level, so his support during this loan period will be invaluable.”
Cech played over 440 Premier League games during a decorated 15-year career – winning four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League, and Europa League.
The 41-year-old - who retired from professional football in 2019 - also represented the Czech Republic national team 124 times, playing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 UEFA European Football Championships.
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox