“I was already packed and one foot abroad. But after the conversation with Mr. Miklošek, I reconsidered my decision and decided for Baník,” explained Jedlička for the club’s website.
“I have known Mr. Miklošek for twelve or thirteen years. I have a lot of respect for him for what he has achieved in football and I was glad that he called me. I immediately changed the direction of where I want to lead and I decided with my heart. Also because I have a partner from the Moravian-Silesian region,” he explained.
It was the partner who had a big say in the thinking of the Příbram native. “We have a daughter together, so she has a lot of decision-making power in our lives,” smiled the 27-year-old goalkeeper. “And I want the best for them. So when Baník called, I told her, we took two days to think about it, and she said she was in favor too. Because we can be more with the family,” said Jedlička.
Editing of the Baník – Pardubice matchVideo: LFA
The goalkeeper, who is part of the wider selection of the Czech national team, also asked the Ostrava stopper Matěj Chaluš, who, like Jedlička, is a Příbram football protege for advice. “We have known each other for many years and I have been in contact with him a lot in recent days. He gave me nothing but positive things about Baník, as did the former goalkeepers of Baník and my former coaches Martin Raška, who has a title with Baník, and Petr Bolek. I also talked to them about coming to Baník. They told me that I would like it here,” said Jedlička.
In Ostrava, he will form an experienced goalkeeping team with his Slovak teammates Dominik Holce and Viktor Budinský. Instead of matches with Pilsen for the title and against prominent opponents in the Europa League, a rescue mission awaits him. “Baník is a brand and I didn’t take the transfer as a step down. Yes, we will be playing for a save, but I’m the type of goalkeeper who loves pressure. And he thrives on it. The pressure is great in Ostrava, especially when the game is for a save. But I believe that I can handle it, that I will help to save and that Baník will help me,” said the goalkeeper.
In his youth, Jedlička caught for Příbram, Sparta and Slavia, as an adult he tried his hand at foreign engagements in Dunajská Streda, in addition to Pilsen, he also caught in the Czech highest competition in Mladá Boleslav and for Bohemians 1905.
“I will be playing for the rescue for the first time in my career, it will be a tough and difficult fight, but also a new experience. I believe that we will succeed and that we will grab the start. This is how I imagine it. At the same time, Baník is still in the game in the domestic cup, so I would like to finally reach for the trophy,” Jedlička outlined his plans.
He is coming to Baník on a six-month loan with a subsequent option. “Now I’m not thinking about what will happen next. I’m only interested in how to help Baník to rescue. If it succeeds and I perform as I’ve been performing for the last four or five years, the option will be activated and we and my family will be able to stay here longer,” emphasized Jedlička.
