Czech Republic star Jakub Jankto has become the highest profile male footballer to come out as gay.
The 27-year-old Sparta Prague midfielder revealed the news in an emotional social media post on Monday afternoon.
He said: “Like everybody else, I have my strengths, I have my weaknesses, I have a family, I have my friends.
“I have a job that I have been doing as best as I can for years with seriousness, with professionalism and passion.
“Like everybody else, I also want to live my life in freedom without fears, without prejudice, without violence but with love.
“I am homosexual and I no longer want to hide myself.”
Jankto, who has 50 international caps, played for Czech Republic against Scotland at Hampden Park at Euro 2020, which took place in 2021.
He is currently on loan at Sparta from Spanish side Getafe but has spent most of his career in the Italian Serie A with spells at Sampdoria, Udinese and Ascoli.
In a statement, Sparta Prague said Jankto had openly discussed his sexual orientation with the club’s management, coach and team-mates “some time ago.
They said: “Everything else concerns his personal life.
“You have our support. Live your life, Jakub.”
Last month Zander Murray became the first openly gay SPFL player since Justin Fashanu in the early 1990’s when he signed for Bonnyrigg Rose in League Two.
And in October Adelaide United player Josh Cavallo also came out as gay.
Before Jankto revealed his sexuality on Monday, Cavallo was the only openly gay male playing top-flight professional football in the world.
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