nikodem_Cyferki

There has been plenty of talk about Pogoń “hijacking” the transfer of Darko Churlinov, so let me explain exactly what happened. We first noticed Darko around a year and a half ago, when he scored the goal against us that ultimately prevented Pogoń from qualifying for Europe. He made a strong impression on us that day. We actually tried to bring him to Pogoń last year, but unfortunately, the move did not work out at that time. On Saturday, we learned that Darko was leaving Kocaelispor and looking for a new home. At approximately 12:16 PM, I contacted him directly, expressed our interest in bringing him to Pogoń, and asked whether he would be open to returning to Poland. Darko was completely honest. He told us it might already be too late because he had been negotiating with another club and was close to signing a contract. At that moment, we did not even know which club it was. We only learned that information when we spoke with his agent a few minutes later. From that moment, the entire transfer process took approximately five hours. During those five hours, Tan Kesler, myself, and our entire team at Pogoń worked incredibly hard to present our sporting vision and explain why we believed Pogoń was the right project for Darko and the next stage of his career. We did not offer more money. In fact, our financial offer was lower. We were transparent about what we could afford and stayed within our limits. What convinced Darko and his family was the football project: Coach Óscar García’s progressive style of play, Darko’s relationship with Ziemowit Deptuła, and @tankesler ’s strong relationship with his representatives, lawyers, and wider football network. Our team at Pogoń then did an outstanding job completing everything within only a few hours: negotiations, contracts, medical examinations, documentation, media work, and the photoshoot. This was an exceptional team effort across the entire organization. We sent a car to collect Darko and his family. No, we did not send a private jet, despite some of the creative stories circulating online. They arrived in Szczecin at approximately 3:00 a.m., and today they are officially part of the Pogoń Szczecin family. I have the utmost respect for Widzew Łódź as an organization, its ownership, management, supporters, and the city of Łódź. This was never personal, and it was never about disrespecting another club. Darko is a great person with tremendous integrity. He could have chosen a significantly more lucrative financial offer, but instead he chose the coach, the playing philosophy, and the sporting project he believed were best for his career. This was not about money, ownership, or one city being better than another. Darko spoke with enormous respect about Jagiellonia Białystok, Widzew Łódź, city of Lodz, both ownerships and his previous experiences in Poland. Transfers are not completed until contracts are signed. Until that moment, every player has the right to choose the project he believes in. Darko chose Pogoń Szczecin. We are proud he did, and we are equally proud of the Pogoń team that completed an entire transfer operation in only 24 hours.

Dziś na Chorten Arenie pożegnanie byłego dyrektora Jagiellonii – Łukasza Masłowskiego. #JAGKOR