Getting to know Josef Bursik: A profile of Doncaster Rovers' latest signing

The highly-rated England age group international will spend the campaign at the Keepmoat to build on his first league loan spell at Accrington Stanley last term.

Here we take a look at the career so far of the 20-year-old.

Name: Josef Bursik

Born: July 12, 2000, Lambeth, London

FROM A DON TO A POTTER

Bursik started his youth career at AFC Wimbledon before being snapped up by Stoke City just before his 17th birthday. Prior to a growth spurt at the age of 11, he was a left winger.

HE HAS WON A WORLD CUP FOR ENGLAND

Bursik was a part of the England squad that won the U17s World Cup in 2017, alongside Doncaster born Joel Latibeaudiere. He has played for England throughout the age group set up and was the first choice at U20 level last season.

LOAN EXPERIENCE

Bursik spent the 2018/19 season on loan with Hednesford and then Telford United in the National League North to gain experience. He made 17 appearances for Telford.

A TOOL FOR STANLEY

Last season he joined Accrington Stanley on loan for the campaign. Due to being called up for international duty, he missed out on early opportunities to make his debut for the club in the EFL Trophy but finally got his chance against Liverpool U23s last October. He kept his place throughout Stanley’s run to the quarter finals in the competition.

By mid-December he had made his league debut, helping Accrington to an impressive 4-1 win over Portsmouth. And he retained the starting shirt for the remainder of the campaign until it was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

By the end of his time with Accrington, he had kept five clean sheets in 20 appearances for the club.

HE HAS CAUGHT A FEW EYESBoth Celtic and Everton have been linked with a move for the goalkeeper in the past and it was seen as a real statement of intent from Stoke when they tied him down to a new long term deal amidst the interest.

HE CAN TAKE A PENALTY - AND A FREE KICK TOO!Bursik scored in a penalty shootout for Accrington as they beat Fleetwood Town in the EFL Trophy. But that does in any way tell the whole story of his attacking ability - the youngster takes attacking free kicks too! On several occasions last season, he took attacking free kicks for Accrington, not just lofting the ball into the box but having a go on goal. He did not manage to score, and had to make a couple of quick sprints back into his own box but Stanley boss John Coleman continued to keep the faith in his dead ball ability.

HIGH HOPES AT STOKE - AND AT INTERNATIONAL LEVELAfter making his league debut for Accrington, Bursik soon saw his contract extended at the Bet365 Stadium where he has committed his future until the summer of 2023.

It is also expected that should Bursik deliver on what is expected of him, he would be troubling the England senior squad in the future.

WHAT THEY SAID

Telford boss Gavin Cowan: “There’s no doubt Joe is going to go on and be a very top goalkeeper. He’s going to have a career in the Football League. At what level of the league that will be, I’m not sure.

Stoke boss Michael O’Neill after Bursik’s new contract: “We’re strong in the goalkeeping department to be honest and Joe’s signing is a big boost. The onus is on us as a club now to build a pathway for him because he’s had a taste of league football and he’d like that to continue.”

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