International player for the Czech Republic Jakub Jankto officially comes out as gay and declares he “no longer wants to hide.”
On Monday, the Getafe-loaned 27-year-old midfielder for Sparta Prague announced it on Twitter.
I have a family, I have friends, and I have my shortcomings, just like everyone else,” he remarked.
“I have a job that I have been seriously, professionally, and passionately doing as best as I can for years.”
Added him: “I want to live my life in freedom, just like everyone else, without any prejudice, without any violence, and only with love.
I no longer want to disguise the fact that I am gay.
In the men’s game in the UK last year, Jake Daniels of Blackpool made history by becoming the first professional athlete to come out while still competing in more than 30 years.
Justin Fashanu, who played for clubs in England and Scotland after coming out as gay in October 1990, was the last active men’s professional football player in the UK to do so before Daniels.
Josh Cavallo, an Adelaide United player who came out in October, was the only active out homosexual top-flight male professional footballer in the world prior to Jankto’s public coming out.
Sparta Prague announced in a statement that Jankto had “some time ago” spoken openly about his sexual orientation with the club’s management, coach, and teammates.
The club continued, “Everything else involves his personal life.
“No more to say. There are no more queries.
“We are behind you. Jakub, live your life.”
Jankto has played 10 times for Sparta Prague since coming on loan in August, recording one goal and one assist.
Before agreeing to a contract with Spanish club Getafe in 2021, he played the majority of his club football in Italy with Udinese, Ascoli, and Sampdoria.
In 45 appearances since making his senior debut for the Czech Republic in 2017, Jankto has four goals to his credit.
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