On 31 August 2006, Štěch signed for Premier League club West Ham United for an undisclosed fee.[4] Due to an ankle injury, his debut was delayed until 17 November 2006, for the West Ham under-18 team in the Premier Academy League, which ended in a goalless draw against Chelsea. Štěch subsequently made his reserve-team debut in the 1–1 home draw against Portsmouth at the Boleyn Ground on 20 November 2006.[3]
In July 2008, Štěch signed a new five-year contract with West Ham and was involved in the club's first-team pre-season programme.[5] On 18 January 2009, he was named as first-team substitute goalkeeper for the first time for West Ham's visit to Newcastle United.[6] On 12 March 2009, Štěch signed for League Two club Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.[7] Štěch made his Football League debut for Wycombe on 14 March 2009 in a 3–3 away draw against Brentford.[8] However, a groin and hip injury sustained in training limited him to just two appearances for Wycombe, before returning to West Ham for treatment.[9]
At the beginning of 2009–10, Štěch was handed the number 34 shirt. However, before making any appearances for the senior team, that number was taken by Olly Lee in a League Cup match against Millwall.[10] On 11 December 2009, Štěch signed for League Two club AFC Bournemouth on an emergency loan due to last for seven days after Bournemouth after receiving special dispensation from the Football League.[11] The following day, Štěch made his debut for Bournemouth but let in five goals as they lost 5–0 away to Morecambe.[12] Štěch's loan with Bournemouth lasted only one match, and he returned to West Ham, where he was named as substitute goalkeeper in West Ham's next match, a 1–1 home draw with Chelsea.[13] During the season, Štěch was named as substitute goalkeeper for West Ham on 14 occasions in all competitions, including 13 times in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup.[3]
On 24 August 2010, Štěch made his debut for the West Ham first-team, against Oxford United in the League Cup, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory.[14] He made a total of three appearances in the League Cup for West Ham and was an unused substitute on 13 occasions in the Premier League.[3]
In October 2011, Štěch signed on loan for League One club Yeovil Town following an injury to Yeovil's first choice goalkeeper Jed Steer.[15] He made his debut on 15 October 2011, in a 3–0 home defeat by Carlisle United.[16] On 14 November 2011, he was recalled from his loan five days early by West Ham. He made five appearances for Yeovil, keeping one clean sheet and saving a penalty in a 0–0 draw with Stevenage on 22 October 2011.[17][18] On 24 February 2012, Štěch signed on a month-long loan for League One club Leyton Orient.[19] Štěch made his Leyton Orient debut the following day in a 1–1 draw against Bury,[20] but he only managed two matches before suffering an ankle injury.[21] At the end of 2011–12, West Ham confirmed that Štěch had left the club by mutual consent after six years in east London.[22]
Yeovil Town
On 5 July 2012, following his departure from West Ham, Štěch signed permanently for League One club Yeovil Town on a two-year contract, becoming the club's first permanent goalkeeper on the books since 2008–09.[23] Štěch made his first appearance of the season and permanent debut for Yeovil in a League Cup tie at home to Colchester United on 14 August 2012.[24] Štěch was ever-present for Yeovil in 2012–13, playing 56 matches and keeping 19 clean sheets, and was man of the match in the 2013 League One play-off final as Yeovil won promotion to the Championship for the first time in their history.[25]
After being substituted for Gareth Stewart in a 1–0 home defeat against Birmingham City, it was confirmed Štêch would be out for 3–4 months with a fractured hand.[26] After four months out, Štěch made his return from injury in a 1–0 loss against Blackburn Rovers.[27]
At the end of 2013–14, which resulted in Yeovil Town's relegation, Štěch was offered a new contract with the club.[28]
Sparta Prague
Štěch rejected Yeovil's offer and moved back to Czech club Sparta Prague, the club he represented as a child, to replace outgoing Sparta goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík.[29]
Luton Town
On 14 June 2017, Štěch signed for League Two club Luton Town on a two-year contract upon the expiry of his contract with Sparta Prague.[30] He made his debut on 5 August 2017, starting Luton's 8–2 win at home to former club Yeovil Town on the opening day of 2017–18, in which he saved a penalty from Otis Khan.[31][32] Štěch kept his first clean sheet for Luton in a 3–0 victory at home to Colchester United on 19 August.[33] He signed a one-year extension to his contract in June 2018.[34]
Having not featured during the 2019–20 campaign, Štěch was released at the end of his contract.[35]
Mansfield Town
Following his release by Luton, Štěch signed for Mansfield Town on a two-year contract.[36] At the end of the 2020–21 season, Štěch was transfer-listed by Mansfield Town.[37]
On 13 May 2014, Štěch received his first call-up to the Czech Republic national team for their friendlies against Finland and Austria on 21 May 2014 and 5 June 2014.[40] Despite being an unused substitute against Finland, Štěch debuted as a starter against Austria.[41]
Controversy
On 13 April 2013, Štěch posted two offensive tweets on his Twitter account. One of the tweets called Sparta's rival club Slavia Prague "Fucking jews".[42][43][44][45] Štěch later deleted the two tweets[42] and apologised.[44]
Career statistics
Club
As of match played 13 March 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
