Matěj Kovář has taken a long route to become a trusted goalkeeper at PSV Eindhoven. He left the Czech Republic as a teenager, developed at Manchester United, collected experience through several loan moves, won major trophies in Germany and then found the regular football he needed in the Netherlands. By 2026, he had become an important part of PSV's plans and a recognised member of the Czech national team. This profile looks at his salary, transfer value, contract, nationality, height and the questions supporters most often ask about him.
Matěj Kovář Profile
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Profile Detail |
Information |
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Full Name |
Matěj Kovář |
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Date of Birth |
17 May 2000 |
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Age in 2026 |
26 years old |
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Place of Birth |
Uherské Hradiště, Czech Republic |
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Nationality |
Czech |
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Height |
6 ft 5 in, approximately 1.96 m |
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Position |
Goalkeeper |
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Preferred Foot |
Right |
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Current Club |
PSV Eindhoven |
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Contract Expires |
30 June 2030 |
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Transfer Value in 2026 |
About €8 million |
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Net Worth in 2026 |
$5 million to $8 million |
Who is Matěj Kovář?
Matěj Kovář is a Czech professional goalkeeper who plays for PSV Eindhoven and represents the Czech Republic at international level. He is known for his size, calm distribution and confidence when receiving the ball under pressure. At 1.96 metres tall, he has the reach expected of a modern goalkeeper, but his ability with the ball is just as important to the teams he has represented.
His career has not followed a simple straight line. Kovář moved from the academy of 1. FC Slovácko to Manchester United in 2018. He did not make a competitive first-team appearance for United, but the club sent him on loans where he could learn through real matches. Those spells helped him mature before successful periods at Sparta Prague, Bayer Leverkusen and PSV.
Matěj Kovář Nationality
Kovář is Czech. He was born in Uherské Hradiště, a city in the Zlín region of the Czech Republic, and developed his early football skills in his home country. His nationality has remained an important part of his career because he represented the Czech Republic at several youth levels before progressing into the senior national team.
Although much of his club career has taken place abroad, he continues to represent Czechia internationally. His time in England, Germany and the Netherlands has given him experience in different football cultures, but his national identity and international career remain firmly Czech.
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Matěj Kovář Height and Playing Style
Matěj Kovář is about 1.96 metres tall, which is roughly 6 feet 5 inches. His height gives him a natural advantage when dealing with crosses, high balls and shots aimed toward the upper corners. He also has a broad frame that helps him cover the goal and remain strong in crowded penalty areas.
Kovář is not only a traditional shot stopper. He is comfortable passing short to defenders, moving outside his penalty area and helping his team begin attacks from the back. This quality suits PSV's possession-based approach. His calm body language and willingness to play under pressure have become important parts of his reputation.
Matěj Kovář Career Journey
Kovář began in the youth system of 1. FC Slovácko before Manchester United signed him in 2018. Competition for goalkeeping places at Old Trafford was intense, so he gained senior experience through loan spells. He played for Swindon Town and Burton Albion in England, then returned to the Czech Republic for a highly successful spell with Sparta Prague.
At Sparta, he established himself as a dependable first-choice goalkeeper and helped the club win the Czech league title. Bayer Leverkusen signed him in 2023. He was mainly used in cup and European matches, but he still became part of the squad that won the Bundesliga and German Cup in the historic 2023/24 season. That experience gave him exposure to high-pressure football even when he was not always the first league choice.
In the summer of 2025, PSV brought Kovář to Eindhoven on an initial loan. He quickly earned trust through his performances, composure and ability to fit the team's build-up style. In January 2026, PSV confirmed that the transfer had become permanent.
Matěj Kovář Transfer to PSV
Kovář first joined PSV from Bayer Leverkusen on loan in July 2025. The agreement included conditions that could turn the move into a permanent transfer. After he became a regular and reached the required appearance conditions, PSV completed the deal in January 2026.
The reported permanent fee was around €5 million, with possible additional payments linked to bonuses. For PSV, the deal offered a goalkeeper entering his prime years who already understood the club's style. For Kovář, it provided the stability and regular playing time that had sometimes been difficult to find earlier in his career.
Matěj Kovář Contract in 2026
Kovář's PSV contract runs until 30 June 2030. The long agreement shows that the club sees him as more than a temporary solution. It also gives PSV protection if another club becomes interested in signing him during the next few seasons.
A contract of this length can help a goalkeeper settle, build relationships with defenders and grow into a leadership role. It also means PSV would be in a strong negotiating position if his performances attract offers from larger European leagues.
Matěj Kovář Transfer Value in 2026
Kovář's estimated transfer value in 2026 is around €8 million. A market value is not the same as an official asking price. It is an estimate influenced by age, contract length, international status, recent performances and the market for goalkeepers.
His long contract through 2030 supports his value, while regular appearances for PSV and the Czech national team could push that figure higher. Goalkeepers often reach their best years later than outfield players, so a 26-year-old with top-level experience can still have significant growth and resale potential.
Matěj Kovář Net Worth and Salary in 2026
Icon Polls estimates that Matěj Kovář's net worth in 2026 is between $5 million and $8 million. This estimate considers his years at Manchester United, loan earnings, his Sparta Prague period, his Bayer Leverkusen contract, performance bonuses, trophy-related payments and his current PSV deal. His exact bank balance and private assets have not been publicly disclosed, so the figure should be treated as an editorial estimate rather than an official statement.
His PSV salary is estimated at about €780,000 per year in fixed gross pay, or roughly €15,000 per week. With performance bonuses, his total annual package may approach €980,000. Salary databases do not always capture image rights, personal bonuses, taxes or private commercial agreements, so these numbers are best read as informed estimates.
For a goalkeeper who is entering his prime and has a contract until 2030, his earning power could rise if he continues to start regularly, performs in European competition and strengthens his position with the Czech national team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matěj Kovář
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1. How old is Matěj Kovář in 2026?
He is 26 years old in 2026. He was born on 17 May 2000.
2. Where was Matěj Kovář born?
He was born in Uherské Hradiště in the Czech Republic.
3. What is Matěj Kovář’s nationality?
He is Czech and represents the Czech Republic internationally.
4. How tall is Matěj Kovář?
He is approximately 1.96 metres tall, or about 6 feet 5 inches.
5. What position does Matěj Kovář play?
He plays as a goalkeeper.
6. Which club does Matěj Kovář play for in 2026?
He plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie.
7. When did Matěj Kovář join PSV?
He joined PSV on loan in July 2025 and the transfer became permanent in January 2026.
8. When does Matěj Kovář’s PSV contract expire?
His contract runs until 30 June 2030.
9. What is Matěj Kovář’s net worth in 2026?
Icon Polls estimates his net worth at between $5 million and $8 million.
10. What is Matěj Kovář’s salary at PSV?
His fixed gross salary is estimated at about €780,000 per year, with bonuses potentially increasing the total package.
11. How much does Matěj Kovář earn per week?
His estimated fixed weekly salary is about €15,000 before tax and bonuses.
12. What is Matěj Kovář’s transfer value in 2026?
His estimated market value is around €8 million.
13. How much did PSV pay for Matěj Kovář?
The permanent transfer fee was reported to be around €5 million, with possible bonuses.
14. Did Matěj Kovář play for Manchester United?
He was part of Manchester United’s academy and senior setup, but he did not make a competitive first-team appearance.
15. Which clubs did Matěj Kovář join on loan?
His loan spells included Swindon Town, Burton Albion, Sparta Prague and PSV before the PSV move became permanent.
16. Did Matěj Kovář win the Bundesliga?
Yes. He was part of Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga-winning squad in the 2023/24 season.
17. Did Matěj Kovář win a trophy with Sparta Prague?
Yes. He helped Sparta Prague win the Czech league title during his loan spell.
18. Is Matěj Kovář the Czech Republic goalkeeper?
He is a Czech international goalkeeper and has competed for a place in the senior national team.
19. Is Matěj Kovář right-footed?
Yes. He is right-footed and is comfortable using the ball in build-up play.
20. What is Matěj Kovář known for?
He is known for his height, calm distribution, shot stopping and confidence under pressure.
21. Why did PSV sign Matěj Kovář permanently?
PSV valued his goalkeeping ability, calmness, passing and strong fit with the team’s style of play.
22. Is Matěj Kovář married?
He keeps his personal life private, and there is no widely confirmed public information about a wife.
23. What shirt number does Matěj Kovář wear?
His squad number can change by season, so supporters should check the current PSV squad list for the latest number.
24. Could Matěj Kovář transfer again?
A future move is possible, but his contract until 2030 means PSV controls his immediate future and can demand a strong fee.
Matěj Kovář's career shows the value of patience and steady development. He left home young, learned at Manchester United, built confidence through loans, won titles in the Czech Republic and Germany, and then earned a permanent role at PSV. At 26, he has a long contract, international experience and the physical and technical qualities required from a modern goalkeeper.
Icon Polls expects his profile to keep growing if he remains a regular starter and performs well in European competition. His estimated net worth and salary may attract attention, but his most important asset is the opportunity to play consistently during the years when many goalkeepers begin reaching their best level.