The Polish PlusLiga is on the verge of welcoming one of the biggest names in modern volleyball. According to information released by Polish journalist Jakub Balcerzak, Japanese national team outside hitter Ran Takahashi is expected to wear the jersey of Bogdanka LUK Lublin during the 2026/2027 season. If the transfer materializes, the Japanese star will be a teammate of Bulgarian international Alex Grozdanov.

For Takahashi, this would be his first participation in the Polish championship, after having already gained significant experience in Italy and his native Japan.

A big step in Takahashi's career

Ran Takahashi was born on September 2, 2001, in Kyoto and at an early age became a key figure for the Japanese national team. He is among the faces of Japan's 'golden generation,' which has firmly established itself among the leading forces in world volleyball.

Standing at 188 cm, Takahashi does not rely on physical superiority, but on excellent technique, stable reception, fast and varied attack, and very good play in saving difficult balls in defense. His metrics – 343 cm attack reach and 315 cm block reach – are a result of high athleticism and excellent coordination.

Club Journey from Italy to PlusLiga

Takahashi's club career has been carefully built and logically progressed over the years. After his first steps in Japan, he chose Italy as an entry point to the European elite.

He played for Pallavolo Padova from 2021 to 2023, after which he played for Mint Vero Volley Monza during the 2023/2024 season. For the next two seasons, Takahashi returns to Japan as a key player for Suntory Sunbirds Osaka. The anticipated transfer to Bogdanka LUK Lublin would be the next big step – a debut in one of the strongest leagues in the world.

What This Transfer Would Mean for Bogdanka

The acquisition of a volleyball player of Ran Takahashi's caliber would be a clear sign of Bogdanka LUK Lublin's ambitions. In combination with Alex Grozdanov as a middle blocker, the Japanese outside hitter could bring more stability in reception, more reliable defense, and significantly greater variability in attack.

Possible Change in the Outside Hitter Position

At present, there is no official information about an outgoing transfer from the club. However, one of the logical assumptions is that Takahashi's potential arrival could be linked to a change among the outside hitters, where Canadian Jackson Young plays during the 2025/2026 season.

It is important to emphasize that this is merely a presumption, not a confirmed decision. Young's profile is different from Takahashi's, which, from a sports-technical point of view, makes such a rotation entirely logical.

If the transfer is formalized, Bogdanka LUK Lublin will acquire not just a top-class volleyball player, but a global star who can change the team's image and further elevate the PlusLiga's level. For Alex Grozdanov, this would be an opportunity to play alongside one of the most recognizable outside hitters in world volleyball, and for Polish fans – a chance to witness the magic of Ran Takahashi live.

Photomontage: Ran Takahashi in the Bogdanka LUK Lublin jersey (source: Jakub Balcerzak's profile)