Bartosz Kurek bid farewell to ZAKSA after one season, secured 5th place, and is most likely heading to Japan

One of the biggest events on the Polish transfer market before the 2024/2025 season was the return of the captain of the Polish national teamBartosz Kurekto the clubZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźleafter a 16-year break. A season later, Kurek publisheda touching Instagram postannouncing hisfarewellto the club.

Kurek's return sparked high expectations for ZAKSA to once again contend for the top spots, but the team failed to reach the semi-finals, remaining outside the top 4 after a better performance by Bogdanka LUK Lublin. The season for ZAKSA ended with them securingfifth place in PlusLigawhich grants them the right to participate in the European tournamentChallenge Cupnext season.

Bartosz Kurek's last match with ZAKSA was on Thursday, when the team defeated Asseco Resovia Rzeszów 3:2 in the 5th place match. Kurek wasthe top scorerfor his team in that match.

In his emotional farewell on social media, Kurek thanked his teammates, management, and fans. He shared that he managed to "feel the spirit of the great ZAKSA" and although the results were not the same as in previous successful years, the team "gave everything to the end like the good old ZAKSA." Kurek expressed confidence in the club's future under the leadership of coach Andrea Giani and the staff, as well as in the potential of the young players. For him, returning to Kędzierzyn-Koźle was a special moment.

Speculation about Bartosz Kurek's future points toprobable return to Japan. Unofficial information links his name with the Tokyo Great Bears club. Before that, Kurek played four seasons in the Japanese league with Wolfdogs Nagoya (2020-2024). In his rich career, he has played for a number of strong clubs in Poland and abroad, including Skra Bełchatów, Resovia, Dynamo Moscow, Cucine Lube Civitanova, and Monza.

photo: siatka.org