Czech Republic's Jakub Jankto "no longer wants to hide" as he becomes the first current international in men's football to publicly come out as gay.
Jakub Jankto Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Sparta Prague midfielder, 27, on loan from Spanish side Getafe, made the announcement on Twitter.
Jankto made his senior debut for the Czech Republic in 2017 and has scored four goals in 45 appearances.
"Like everybody else, I have my strengths, I have my weaknesses, I have a family, I have my friends," he said.
"I have a job that I have been doing as best as I can for years with seriousness, with professionalism and passion."
He added: "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."
Before Jankto publicly came out, Adelaide United player Josh Cavallo was the only current openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world, having come out last October.
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".
"Everything else concerns his personal life," the club added.
"No further comment. No further questions. You have our support. Live your life, Jakub."
Former Aston Villa and Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, 40, who came out in January 2014, a few months after retiring because of injury problems, tweeted: "What a player! What a personality! Well done Jakub for speaking up and leading the way for others."
Since joining on loan in August, Jankto has made 10 league appearances for Sparta Prague, scoring once and providing one assist.
He spent the majority of his club career in Italy with Udinese, Ascoli and Sampdoria, before signing for Spanish side Getafe in 2021.
Jankto made his senior debut for the Czech Republic in 2017 and has scored four goals in 45 appearances.
-BBC
