Sparta Sign Hoever — Former Liverpool Player and Krejčí's Wolves Teammate

Sparta Prague have announced the signing of Dutch defender Ki-Jana Hoever from England's Wolverhampton Wanderers. The player is expected to fill a problem spot at right-back, a position held mostly by Martin Suchomel and Pavel Kadeřábek up to now.

"He's had a rich footballing journey — he's featured regularly in France's Ligue 1 and England's Championship. He also came through the academies of Ajax and Liverpool, environments where players are taught to win from a young age. On the right flank he brings pace, strength, technical quality and the courage to push forward. He's also used to physical football and isn't afraid of duels. We believe that with us he'll unlock his considerable potential and help the team win," said Sparta's sporting director Tomáš Rosický.

From the Ajax Academy to Liverpool

Hoever is an Ajax academy graduate, snapped up by mighty Liverpool in 2018. Just five months later — eleven days before turning 17 — he was already on the first-team bench. When Dejan Lovren was injured in an FA Cup match against Wolverhampton, manager Jürgen Klopp sent the young defender onto the pitch, making him the youngest player in The Reds' history in that competition and the third-youngest footballer ever to play for Liverpool in an official match.

Six months later Hoever signed his first professional contract, but he was never able to establish himself in Liverpool's first team. The Dutch youth international and 2019 U17 European champion was bought by Wolverhampton for almost €10 million at the start of the 2020/21 season.

Loan Spells and a Return to Wolves

From Wolverhampton, Hoever went out on loan in succession to PSV, Stoke City and Auxerre, before returning to England. He began last season back at his parent club, where he crossed paths with former Sparta captain and Czech national team mainstay Ladislav Krejčí. In autumn 2025 Hoever made eight Premier League appearances before being loaned out again in winter, this time to Championship side Sheffield United.

Now the former Dutch youth international will continue his career at Letná. "When a player has a year left on his contract, you need to find a solution that works for everyone. Ki has always been a fine professional, so we're happy for him and wish him all the best. He's had plenty of opportunities, but he was never quite able to convince a manager. When you're not playing regularly it's tough — you come back from a loan not fully involved in the process, and that takes its toll. He has talent, and once he moves to Prague with his young family and settles into a stable environment, things will be better for him," Wolverhampton's technical director Matt Jackson said of the move.

The transfer came as a surprise to many. Fans are now wondering whether Sparta's 11th summer signing will go straight into Sunday's Prague derby.

Source: sport.cz