Ex-Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech set to make surprise appearance for treble-winning club

Former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech is poised to play as an ice hockey netminder for a Belfast Giants All-Stars side in a charity match on Wednesday.

The Premier League and Champions League winner will be in action at the SSE Arena in Belfast in a match against Dnipro Kherson which is being played in support of continuing ice hockey in war-torn Ukraine.

Cech retired from football in 2019 after making over 100 appearances for Arsenal since his move from Chelsea in 2015. He won four Premier League titles, the Champions League and four FA Cups in a decorated career with Chelsea while also claiming an FA Cup with the Gunners in 2017.

Since his retirement from football he has played ice hockey for Guildford Phoenix before joining Chelmsford Chieftains in November.

“I’m excited to participate in the game. With the Belfast Giants having just completed the treble, I don’t doubt that there will be a good feel and atmosphere around the SSE Arena,” said Cech.

“It’s a charity game for a great cause, and I’m always happy to help and support wherever possible to help change the lives of other people. I hope that everyone will come along on Wednesday night to enjoy the occasion and cheer on both teams.

“It’s going to be great to come back to Belfast as I have great memories of winning the Uefa Super Cup there a few years ago with Chelsea, and I’m looking forward to making some more on Wednesday night.”

In October 2020, Cech was included in Chelsea's 25-man Premier League squad for the 2020–21 season as an emergency goalkeeper and as a non-contract player. He made one appearance for the Chelsea's Under-23 team in the Premier League 2 in that time.

He has also been a technical director at Chelsea but left the position last summer. The Belfast Giants won the Elite League play-offs on Sunday with a victory over Cardiff Devils to add to their regular season and Challenge Cup titles as they completed a clean sweep of silverware in British ice hockey this season.

Dnipro Kherson play in the Ukrainian National Championship but their stadium has been destroyed in the conflict in the Eastern European nation. The Giants' side will contain a number of former and current players, along with special guests which includes Cech.