Jakub Jankto (; born 19 January 1996) is a Czech former professional footballer who played for the Czech Republic national team. A versatile player, Jankto could play as a full-back, left midfielder or left winger.
Jankto came out as gay in a social media post in 2023, making him the first active male international footballer to come out as gay.
Jankto signed for Udinese from Slavia Prague in 2014 for a reported fee of â¬700,000. Without making his league debut for the team, he went on loan to Serie B side Ascoli in 2015, debuting on 15 September in a Serie B 1âÂÂ0 home win against Virtus Entella.
On 6 July 2018, Sampdoria announced that Jankto had joined the club on an initial loan deal with an obligation to make the transfer permanent for â¬15 million. On 12 August 2018, Jankto scored on his debut for Sampdoria in a 1âÂÂ0 Coppa Italia win against Viterbese. Sampdoria later made the transfer permanent.
On 20 August 2021, Jankto signed a two-year contract with La Liga club Getafe CF. The following year on 10 August, he returned to his homeland after joining Sparta Prague on a one-year loan deal.
On 15 July 2023, Jankto signed a two-year contract with option with Serie A club Cagliari. He made his debut with Cagliari on 21 August 2023 in a goalless draw against Torino FC. On 3 March 2024, he scored his first goal for Cagliari in a 1âÂÂ0 victory against Empoli.
On 21 August 2025, Jankto announced on his Instagram that he had retired due to persistent health problems. He also referred to âÂÂwanting to spend more time with his sonâ as one of the reasons for his retirement.
In March 2017, Jankto received his first call-up by coach Karel JarolÃÂm to the Czech senior squad for two matches against Lithuania (friendly) and San Marino (2018 FIFA World Cup qualification). The same year on 22 March, he debuted against the former opponent with his first goal that ended in a 3âÂÂ0 victory.
Jankto was in a relationship with model Markéta Ottomanská and had a son. They separated in 2021.
On 13 February 2023, Jankto publicly came out as gay in a social media statement, becoming the first active senior international men's footballer to do so. Jankto's move received support from football clubs, footballers and other athletes.
On 18 April 2023, Jankto was stopped by police near the Sparta Prague Strahov training center. He submitted to a breath test behind the wheel of his vehicle, but refused to take a drug test and a medical examination. He also drove without a driver's licence, which had been taken away by the authorities earlier in 2023. In response, club management initiated a meeting with Jankto, and it was decided that he would not participate in training sessions with the first team.
Sparta Prague