Getafe’s Czech midfielder Jakub Jankto has announced his homosexuality, becoming the first Spanish LaLiga footballer to do so.
The 27-year-old international, currently on loan to Sparta Prague in his country, posted a video on his social networks declaring his sexual orientation.
“I have a job and I have been doing it to the best of my ability for years, with seriousness, professionalism and passion”Jankto said in statements collected by AFP.
“Like everyone else, I also want to lead my life in freedom, without fear, without prejudice, without violence, but with love”he added.
“I’m gay and I don’t want to hide anymore”he explained.
WHO IS JAKUB JANKTO, THE CZECH FOOTBALL PLAYER WHO DECLARED HIMSELF?
Jakub Jankto is a player born in Prague on January 19, 1996. At a very young age he excelled at Slavia Prague in his country and went to Udinese in Italy, who ended up loaning him to Áscoli, where he made his debut and scored his first goal in 2015.
He has been an international with the Czech Republic team since 2017 and played in the 2020 Euro Cup, after having gone through the Under 17, Under 18, Under 19 and Under 21 teams.
Jankto returned to Udinese after his loan and then went to Sampdoria, a club where he established himself until he went to Getafe in Spain.
Jakub Jankto playing for the Czech Republic at Euro 2020 (Photo: AFP)
HOW DID YOUR CLUB, SPARTA PRAGUE, SUPPORT JAKUB JANKTO IN HIS STATEMENT?
Sparta Prague pointed out that Jankto previously informed the Czech club and his teammates about his sexual orientation.
“Jakub Jankto spoke openly about his sexual orientation with the club’s management, coach and teammates, a long time ago”indicated the club on Twitter.
“The rest concerns his personal life. No more comments. No more questions. You have our support. Live your life, Jacob. Nothing else matters”he explained.
Getafe also offered their support to Jankto after the news.
“Our utmost respect and unconditional support to our footballer Jakub Jankto”wrote the Madrid club on Twitter.
WHAT OTHER PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS HAVE DECLARED THEM TO BE GAY?
Few professional footballers have come out as gayand Jankto has done it after Australian defender Josh Cavallo and England striker Jake Daniels did it before, reports AFP.
Cavallo, of Adelaide United, came out as gay in October 2021 and Daniels, Blackpool, came out in May 2022.
English Justin Fashanu was the first professional footballer to come out as gay in 1990, later committing suicide in 1998 at the age of 37.
