Chelsea legend Petr Cech has been announced as the latest member of the Premier League Hall of Fame, joining Rio Ferdinand, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger as class of 2023 inductees.
Cech was selected by fans through a public vote, as well as the Premier League Awards Panel from a shortlist of 15 legendary footballers. The goalkeeper has been announced along with ex-Man Utd defender Rio Ferdinand as the latest inductees in the Hall of Fame, with one more set to be announced soon.
The shortlist of other potential inductees includes Tony Adams, Ashley Cole, Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Jermain Defoe, Michael Owen, Michael Carrick, Les Ferdinand, John Terry, Yaya Toure, Andy Cole, Robbie Fowler and Nemanja Vidic.
The Czech goalkeeper is a very deserving inductee having won an impressive four Premier League titles during his time with Chelsea, recording the most clean sheets in the division’s history. He spent his final four seasons at London rivals Arsenal, winning the FA Cup in 2017.
Speaking about the induction, Cech said: “When I was a child growing up in communist Czechoslovakia, playing in the Premier League was an unimaginable dream. When I look back to where I started, diving on rock solid pitches with stones like golf balls, it has been an amazing journey.
“I hope to be known as someone who showed effort, commitment, and consistency. Making a great save feels the same as scoring a goal and I’m proud of my clean sheet record, but I was even more happy when those clean sheets won matches and points for the team and contributed to titles!
“It’s an honour for me to be voted into the Hall of Fame in the best league in the world. That’s really a special recognition and leaves a legacy. I’m proud that fans voted for me and appreciated the way I performed over the years.”