Wolverhampton Wanderers have secured Czech centre-back Ladislav Krejci on a season-long loan from La Liga side Girona, with the transaction carrying a significant option to buy that could see the defender remain at Molineux until at least 2030.
The deal stands as a landmark moment for the club, bringing both reinforcements to their backline and a fresh sense of ambition to their summer recruitment drive.
At 26 years old, Krejci joins Wolves as their first-ever Czech international—a milestone confirmed by the club on 28 August 2025. It marks Wolves’ fifth signing of the summer, following transfers including Fer López, Jhon Arias, David Moller Wolfe, and Jackson Tchatchoua.
Financially, the arrangement involves a reported £6 million loan fee, with an option—and likely obligation—to purchase the player outright for approximately £20 million (or €23 million), should predetermined conditions be met during the loan period.
From Girona’s perspective, the move caps a shrewd operation: they stand to net more than €30 million overall—a striking return after acquiring Krejci for a comparatively modest fee from Sparta Prague just last year.
Krejci’s journey to Molineux has been fueled by a steadily rising reputation. His professional career commenced at Zbrojovka Brno, where he made over 50 senior appearances from the age of 17 and began collecting his first goals and national team call-ups.
A high-profile transfer to Sparta Prague in 2019 elevated his game; by 2022, he had earned the captain’s armband, guided them to their first league title in nine years, and was named Player of the Season. Success continued as he helped Sparta reach the last sixteen of the Europa League and ended that season with an impressive tally of 11 goals and 7 assists while sometimes deployed in midfield.
His move to Girona in June 2024 marked the start of his Spanish chapter. Within months, he had already made his mark: he featured in Girona’s Champions League campaign, and his sublime left-footed volley against Villarreal earned him La Liga’s Goal of the Month in December 2024.
Upon completing formalities at Wolves, Krejci expressed both excitement and determination: “I’m very, very excited. Even on the first day, it’s very exciting for me to see how the staff are working and everything around, the first view of the club. It’s very beautiful, very amazing. So, I cannot wait for it,” he declared. He also reflected on the whirlwind nature of the move, acknowledging the hectic preparations and travel, while promising to refocus and fully immerse himself at his new club.
Wolves’ head coach Vítor Pereira and his backroom staff have orchestrated this transfer with clarity of purpose. The club is actively seeking further reinforcements—particularly in central midfield and attack—as Jørgen Strand Larsen has drawn attention from Newcastle with a substantial offer that Wolves have rebuffed. There’s also talk of bolstering their defensive corps even further before the deadline.
From Girona’s standpoint, the departure of Krejci not only injects financial firepower but also creates clear strategic breathing room. The club has already made moves towards strengthening other areas, focusing on signing the likes of Vladyslav Vanat and Azzedine Ounahi while exploring defensive and midfield reinforcements.