Martin Dúbravka

Martin Dúbravka (born 15 January 1989) is a Slovak professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Newcastle United and the Slovakia national team.

Martin Dúbravka
Dúbravka with Newcastle United in 2018
Personal information
Full name Martin Dúbravka[1]
Date of birth (1989-01-15) 15 January 1989[2]
Place of birth Žilina, Czechoslovakia
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[3]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Newcastle United
Number 1
Youth career
Žilina
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2014 Žilina 97 (0)
2014–2016 Esbjerg 66 (0)
2016–2017 Slovan Liberec 28 (0)
2017–2018 Sparta Prague 11 (0)
2018 → Newcastle United (loan) 12 (0)
2018– Newcastle United 117 (0)
2022–2023 → Manchester United (loan) 0 (0)
International career‡
2009–2010 Slovakia U21 10 (0)
2014– Slovakia 40 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:52, 28 May 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:09, 16 October 2023 (UTC)

After playing in the top flights of Slovak, Danish and Czech football, Dúbravka joined English club Newcastle United in January 2018, initially on loan. He won the club's Player of the Year award in the 2019–20 season. He spent part of the 2022–23 season on loan at Manchester United, playing twice in their EFL Cup-winning campaign.

Dúbravka represented Slovakia at under-21 level, before making his senior international debut in May 2014. He started all three of Slovakia's games at UEFA Euro 2020.

Early life

As a child, Dúbravka enjoyed playing ice hockey as well as football, and could have moved into the former sport were it not for a leg injury he sustained when he was five years old.[4]

Club career
Dúbravka playing for Žilina in 2010

Žilina

In the 2009–10 Slovak Superliga he played 26 Slovak Superliga games, finishing as a league champion. He became a first choice after the transfer of Dušan Perniš in January 2010. He qualified with Žilina to the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League and played all 6 group games. He kept a clean sheet in the play-off round against Sparta Prague.[5]

Esbjerg

On 30 January 2014, he signed a 3½-year deal with the Danish Superliga club Esbjerg.[6]

Slovan Liberec

Dúbravka joined Slovan Liberec of the Czech First League in July 2016 on a one-year contract.[7][5]

Sparta Prague

He joined Sparta Prague in June 2017, signing a three-year contract.[5]

Newcastle United

In January 2018, Newcastle United showed interest in Dúbravka, initially offering Sparta Prague a loan for €500,000, with an option to sign in the summer for €4.5 million. He finally joined the Premier League side on 31 January 2018, the final day of the winter transfer window on a half-year loan deal, due to expire at the end of 2017–18 season. According to isport.cz, he joined the club for €2 million, with an option to sign in the summer for €4 million.[8] He made his debut on 11 February, playing a pivotal role and keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win against Manchester United.[9]

After a very successful loan spell, he signed permanently for Newcastle on 30 May 2018 for an undisclosed fee of around €5 million.[10] On 17 February 2019 in Durham, Dúbravka was recognised as the 2018 Player of the Year by the North East Football Writers' Association, joining the likes of Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan and Shay Given. He became the seventh goalkeeper to win the award, over its thirty-nine seasons. Dúbravka stated that he was happy to win the award because "amazing players have won this trophy before".[11] FourFourTwo ranked Dúbravka as the twentieth best player of the Premier League, in the 2018–19 season. He was the highest ranked goalkeeper, ahead of highly valued goalkeepers such as Alisson Becker (Liverpool) and David de Gea (Manchester United).[12]

While Dúbravka was ever present for Newcastle for the next two seasons, he was mostly replaced in the FA Cup and EFL Cup, by either Karl Darlow or Freddie Woodman. His performances during the 2019–20 season, saw him win the club's Player of the Year award.[13] In August 2020, Dúbravka injured his ankle in a training session prior to the start of the 2020–21 season.[14] Darlow played in his absence and he returned to the bench for the club's last match of the year, a 0–0 draw with Liverpool.[15] On 9 January 2021, Dúbravka started his first match of the season, in a FA Cup extra-time loss to Arsenal.[16] On 27 February, Dúbravka started his first league match of the season in a 1–1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.[17] Afterwards, he went on to make twelve more appearances in goal as Newcastle, despite having been in a relegation battle for much of the season, finished in twelfth place.[18]

Loan to Manchester United

Dúbravka lost his place in the starting line-up to Nick Pope after the England international signed from Burnley.[19] On 1 September 2022, he joined Manchester United on a season-long loan from Newcastle.[20] On 3 September 2022, it was confirmed that he would wear the number 31 shirt last worn by Nemanja Matić.[21] He made his debut in Man United's 4–2 win over Aston Villa in the EFL Cup third round on 10 November 2022.[22] Newcastle recalled Dúbravka from the loan on 1 January 2023. He made two appearances, both in the 2022–23 EFL Cup, keeping one clean sheet.[23]

Return to Newcastle

Dúbravka played in Newcastle's 2–1 FA Cup third round defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.[24] He made his first Premier League appearance since the last day of the previous season on 18 February 2023, replacing Elliot Anderson after Nick Pope was sent off for handling the ball outside the penalty area in the 2–0 home defeat to Liverpool.[25] Dúbravka was cup-tied for the 2023 EFL Cup final on 26 February, having played for Newcastle's opponents in the third and fourth rounds,[26] which Manchester United won 2–0.[27] Having made two appearances in the EFL Cup for Manchester United, Dubravka received a winners medal, despite the fact that Newcastle lost.[28]

International career

Dúbravka made 10 appearances for the Slovakia under-21 team.[29] On 23 May 2014, Dúbravka made his debut for the Slovakia national football team in a 2–0 win over Montenegro.[30]

In January 2017, he played his first full game for the national team, having played 45 minutes in both of his previous matches. While he was benched against Uganda (3–1 loss), on 12 January he was fielded in an unofficial friendly match against Sweden in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Slovakia lost the game 6–0, despite only trailing 1–0 at half time. This match also marked the first time Dúbravka conceded in the national team and he was also Slovak captain for the game, being the most experienced with international football.[31][32]

He made his competitive debut in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier, against Lithuania (2–1 win), on 10 June 2017, when the preferred goalkeeper in the qualification, Matúš Kozáčik, was unavailable due to injury. He however achieved his first competitive clean sheet on 1 September in a home qualifier against Slovenia. Slovakia won thanks to an 81st-minute goal by Adam Nemec. Just as in the previous cap, Dúbravka was chosen due to a prolonged injury of Kozáčik. After Kozáčik's return to the squad, Dúbravka remained the preferred choice for the remaining matches against England, Scotland and Malta. In the match against Scotland, Dúbravka made a series of saves before he was finally beaten by an own goal from Martin Škrtel.[33]

Dúbravka missed all the national team fixtures of 2020 due to injuries ruling him out of play during the autumn of the year, he returned to the national team in March 2021, in a 0–0 draw with Cyprus. He made notable saves in the second half preventing and upset loss and received some praise for them, while the team received overall criticisms for the upset result and the performance labelled as "boring".[34][35]

He was named in Slovakia's final squad for UEFA Euro 2020,[36] where he played in all three group matches. Going into the match against Spain on 23 June, Slovakia had a slim chance to advance to the knockout stage as a third-placed team. Dúbravka started well, saving a penalty from Álvaro Morata in the twelfth minute. After a shot from Pablo Sarabia hit the crossbar, he tried to tip the ball away and instead punched the ball into his own net. In doing so, he became the first goalkeeper in European Championship history, to save a penalty and score an own goal in the same match. Dúbravka would go on to concede four goals, as Spain won the match 5–0.[37]

Style of play

Dúbravka is a third-generation goalkeeper: his father and grandfather also played in the position.[38] Dúbravka has been dubbed the "quintessential sweeper-keeper" due to his "outstanding footwork" and he believes "in modern football the keeper's almost like a libero. You need to play with the ball, not just kick it long".[38]

Louise Taylor of The Guardian christened Dúbravka the "reluctant keeper" after he admitted his favourite position to play is right wing; he sometimes plays as an outfielder in training and coaching staff have suggested that he switch to a midfield role.[38]

Personal life

Dúbravka lives with his girlfriend Lucia, and his dog.[39] The couple had their first child in March 2021.[40]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 28 May 2023[41]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Žilina 2009–10 Slovak Super Liga 26000—00—260
2010–11 Slovak Super Liga 24010—12[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 2]0380
2011–12 Slovak Super Liga 8000—2[lower-alpha 3]0—100
2012–13 Slovak Super Liga 26050—2[lower-alpha 1]0—330
2013–14 Slovak Super Liga 13000—6[lower-alpha 3]0—190
Total 97060—220101260
Esbjerg fB 2013–14 Danish Superliga 15000—2[lower-alpha 3]0—170
2014–15 Danish Superliga 33030—4[lower-alpha 3]0—400
2015–16 Danish Superliga 18000———180
Total 66030—60—750
Slovan Liberec 2016–17 Czech First League 28000—9[lower-alpha 3]0—370
Sparta Prague 2017–18 Czech First League 11020—2[lower-alpha 3]0—150
Newcastle United (loan) 2017–18 Premier League 1200000——120
Newcastle United 2018–19 Premier League 3800000——380
2019–20 Premier League 3801000——390
2020–21 Premier League 1301000——140
2021–22 Premier League 2601000——270
2022–23 Premier League 2010———30
Total 12904000——1330
Manchester United (loan) 2022–23 Premier League 00—2000—20
Career total 331015020390103880
  1. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. Appearance in Slovak Super Cup
  3. Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International
As of match played 16 October 2023[42]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Slovakia 201410
201610
201770
201870
201980
202160
202220
202380
Total400

Honours

Žilina

Slovakia

Individual

References
  1. "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  2. "Martin Dubravka". ESPN. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  3. "Martin Dubravka: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  4. Edwards, Luke (13 April 2018). "Exclusive Martin Dubravka interview: From hyperactive ice-hockey goalkeeper to Newcastle cult hero – via a freak machete injury". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  5. "Další nováček ve Spartě, z Liberce přichází brankář Dúbravka". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). 12 June 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  6. "Esbjerg bring in Dúbravka from Žilina". UEFA. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  7. "Liberec ulovil brankáře Dúbravku. Zachytá si už proti vídeňské Admiře?". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). 28 July 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  8. SPORT.SK, s.r.o. & Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia a.s. (31 January 2018). "Newcastle a Sparta sa dohodli, Dúbravka mieri do Premier League!" (in Slovak). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  9. "Newcastle 1–0 Manchester United". BBC Sport. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  10. "Martin Dubravka: Newcastle United complete permanent deal for Slovakia keeper". BBC Sport. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  11. "Dúbravka receives North East Football Writers' Association player of the year award". Newcastle United F.C. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  12. "The 50 best players in the Premier League – The magazine FourFourTwo have ranked what they..." Marca. Madrid. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  13. "Martin Dúbravka is Newcastle United's 2019/20 player of the year". Newcastle United F.C. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  14. "Newcastle duo Martin Dubravka and Dwight Gayle set to miss Premier League opener". Sky Sports. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  15. Rindl, Josef (30 December 2020). "Newcastle United 0–0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  16. "Arsenal 2–0 Newcastle United (AET)". BBC Sport. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  17. Bysouth, Alex (27 February 2021). "Newcastle United 0–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  18. Bradshaw, Joe (23 May 2021). "Fulham 0–2 Newcastle United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  19. "England international Nick Pope joins Newcastle United". Newcastle United F.C. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  20. "Transfer news: Dubravka joins on loan". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  21. Bostock, Adam (3 September 2022). "Antony and Dubravka shirt numbers revealed". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  22. Stone, Simon (10 November 2022). "Carabao Cup: Man Utd 4–2 Aston Villa: Hosts earn win after frantic second half". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  23. "Dubravka recalled from loan". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  24. Drury, Sam (7 January 2023). "Windass double for Sheff Wed knocks out Newcastle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  25. McNulty, Phil (18 February 2023). "Clinical Liverpool punish 10-man Newcastle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  26. Spellman, Damian (31 January 2023). "Newcastle trophy drought: a look back at the Magpies' long wait for silverware". The Independent. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  27. McNulty, Phil (26 February 2023). "Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  28. Flintham, Jack (26 February 2023). "Carabao Cup medal rules explained amid obscure Martin Dubravka situation". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  29. "M. Dúbravka". besoccer.com. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  30. Slovensko vyhralo nad Čiernou Horou 2:0, Kozákovi chýbala atmosféra Archived 26 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine, SME.sk. Retrieved 25 May 2014 (in Slovak)
  31. "Prípravný futbalový zápas: Slovensko prehralo s Ugandou 1:3". sportinak.sk (in Slovak). 8 January 2017. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  32. "Slováci prehrali so Švédskom 0:6. To je niečo strašné, hovorí Kozák". sportinak.sk (in Slovak). 12 January 2017. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  33. English, Tom (6 October 2017). "Scotland still in it after dramatic late win over Slovakia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  34. "Duda zaujal a potom zhasol. Nahradiť Hamšíka? Nemožné (hodnotenie)". sportnet.sme.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  35. s, SPORT SK, s r o & Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia a. "Kvalifikácia MS 2022: Slovensko po bezduchom výkone v nudnom zápase iba remizovalo s Cyprom". Šport.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 24 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. "Konečná nominácia na Euro 2020, tréner Tarkovič: za menami si stojím!". Slovenský futbalový zväz. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  37. Bysouth, Alex (23 June 2021). "Slovakia 0–5 Spain". BBC Sport.
  38. Taylor, Louise (23 February 2018). "Reluctant keeper Martin Dubravka makes right impression at Newcastle". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  39. King, Dan (23 March 2020). "Dúbravka has a canine companion as he recovers from knee injury". Newcastle United F.C. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  40. "Martin Dúbravka sa stal otcom syna Viliama: Najlepší moment v mojom živote". sport.aktuality.sk. Šport.sk. 2 April 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  41. Martin Dúbravka at Soccerway. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  42. "Martin Dúbravka". National Football Teams. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  43. "Slovakia beat Thailand 3–2, win King's Cup". Bangkok Post. 25 March 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
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