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Flurry of Polish internationals switching clubs to secure more game time

Kacper Urbański (L), Jakub Moder (R) via Getty Images
Kacper Urbański (L), Jakub Moder (R) via Getty Images
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The January transfer window has been busy for Polish internationals seeking regular first-team football, with several players moving to secure more game time.

Poland will kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in March with matches against Lithuania and Malta, aiming for a fresh start after a disappointing 2024. A key issue for the national team has been a lack of club minutes for many regulars.

Head coach Michał Probierz repeatedly stressed last year that consistent playing time is crucial for confidence, form and match sharpness.

“The most important thing is for all players to play regularly. Just changing for the sake of changing doesn’t make sense. They have to realize that they need to go to clubs to play,” Probierz told TVP Sport.

With limited squad depth, Probierz has often had to rely on players struggling for game time at their clubs.

Key Transfers


Kacper Urbański, the squad’s youngest member last year, showed promise with his dribbling and creativity before Euro 2024 but has since struggled for minutes at Bologna.

Last weekend, the Champions League side loaned him to Monza, currently battling relegation in Serie A. Just two days after his move, Urbański played 90 minutes—his first full match since April.

Jakub Moder left Brighton for Dutch giants Feyenoord in an €11 million deal. The midfielder’s progress stalled after a serious knee injury in April 2022, which kept him out for over a year and saw him fall down the pecking order in England.

With 31 caps and two goals for Poland, Moder has been a regular under both Paulo Sousa and Probierz when fit. He was ineligible for Feyenoord’s recent Champions League matches, but the club has now qualified for the knockout playoffs, where they will face either Milan or PSV. Moder is expected to be registered for the next round.
Nicola Zalewski (Photo by Stu ForsterGetty Images)
Nicola Zalewski (Photo by Stu ForsterGetty Images)
Nicola Zalewski was arguably Poland’s most consistent player last year, impressing with his attacking runs from the left wing. However, he has been sidelined at Roma, mainly featuring in Europa League matches and brief Serie A cameos.

With his contract expiring this summer, rumors of his departure have swirled for months. However, TVP Sport reported Thursday that Zalewski will extend his Roma deal before being loaned to Inter. If the move materializes, his role at Inter remains uncertain, given the strong form of current wing-backs Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries.

Greek Influx


Karol Świderski, a key figure in Poland’s attack alongside Robert Lewandowski, has returned to Europe after a year with Charlotte FC in MLS. The pacy forward joined Panathinaikos, reuniting with fellow Pole Bartłomiej Drągowski. He will also play continental football, with Panathinaikos set to face Víkingur Reykjavík in the UEFA Conference League playoffs.
Karol Swiderski (Photo by Michael SteeleGetty Images)
Karol Swiderski (Photo by Michael SteeleGetty Images)
Świderski is no stranger to Greek football, having won a league title and two Greek Cups with PAOK Thessaloniki from 2019 to 2022, Rzeczpospolita reported.

Defender Mateusz Wieteska has also moved to the Greek Super League, joining Tomasz Kędziora at PAOK on loan from Cagliari after making just five Serie A appearances this season.

The 26-year-old made a strong debut against Levadiakos, playing the full 90 minutes and helping his team secure a 1-0 victory.
Jakub Kaminski (Photo by Davor JavorovicPixsellMB MediaGetty Images)
Jakub Kaminski (Photo by Davor JavorovicPixsellMB MediaGetty Images)
The Polish presence in Greece may expand further, with Olympiacos reportedly interested in Jakub Kamiński. The Wolfsburg winger, a regular in Probierz’s squad, has made 16 Bundesliga appearances this season, mostly off the bench. A loan move to the Greek league leaders, who are also in the Europa League, is under discussion.

Olympiacos’ final league phase match this evening could determine their European prospects, adding intrigue to Kamiński’s potential switch.
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