Polish billionaire Robert Dobrzycki says he would like to purchase one of Poland’s most famous and historically successful football clubs, Widzew Łódź.
Dobrzycki - the CEO and co-owner of real estate firm Panattoni’s operations in Europe, Middle East and India – declared on X on Wednesday that he would like to invest in the central Poland-based team.
“In reference to information and comments on social media, I would like to confirm my interest in investing in Widzew Łódź. I am ready to do so as soon as possible and focus on building Widzew,” he said on X.
“In reference to information and comments on social media, I would like to confirm my interest in investing in Widzew Łódź. I am ready to do so as soon as possible and focus on building Widzew,” he said on X.
W nawiązaniu do informacji i komentarzy w mediach społecznościowych chciałbym potwierdzić moje zainteresowanie inwestycją w @RTS_Widzew_Lodz . Jestem gotów dokonać tego tak szybko, jak to możliwe i skupić się na budowie Widzewa.
— Robert Dobrzycki (@RobertDobrzycki) February 19, 2025
Dobrzycki dropped hints in an interview, published in January, with Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza that he was keen on investing in football.
“I have one dream: to be involved in football. I'd like to buy a club and prove that it's possible to run it meaningfully in Poland, to have success. It's a bit of a hobby and a bit of a goal to pursue,” he said.
“In this field I want to prove something to myself, but also to those around me. I believe that football is a business like any other,” Dobrzycki said.
“There is more excitement in it... Poland can be a leader in Europe, and I want a club that will prove on the European sporting front also,” he added.
Panattoni has sponsored Widzew since 2021 and rumors have been swirling for months regarding a potential change of ownership.
The club rose to prominence in the 1980’s and 90’s, consistently appearing in top-level European football. They reached the semi-final of the European Cup (now Champions League) in 1982-83, defeating Liverpool en route.
They also knocked Manchester United out of the 1980–81 UEFA Cup (now the Europa League). Domestically, the club secured back-to-back league titles in 1996 and 1997.
However, Widzew has largely been in the doldrums since the turn of the century.
A dramatic decline occurred under the ownership of another one of Poland’s wealthiest men, Sylwester Cacek, who bought the club in 2007. Eight years later they went bankrupt and suffered several relegations.
They finally returned to the top-flight Ekstraklasa in the 2022-23 season. They are currently 11th in the 18-team league.
“I have one dream: to be involved in football. I'd like to buy a club and prove that it's possible to run it meaningfully in Poland, to have success. It's a bit of a hobby and a bit of a goal to pursue,” he said.
“In this field I want to prove something to myself, but also to those around me. I believe that football is a business like any other,” Dobrzycki said.
“There is more excitement in it... Poland can be a leader in Europe, and I want a club that will prove on the European sporting front also,” he added.
Panattoni has sponsored Widzew since 2021 and rumors have been swirling for months regarding a potential change of ownership.
Widzew’s rich history
The club rose to prominence in the 1980’s and 90’s, consistently appearing in top-level European football. They reached the semi-final of the European Cup (now Champions League) in 1982-83, defeating Liverpool en route.
They also knocked Manchester United out of the 1980–81 UEFA Cup (now the Europa League). Domestically, the club secured back-to-back league titles in 1996 and 1997.
However, Widzew has largely been in the doldrums since the turn of the century.
A dramatic decline occurred under the ownership of another one of Poland’s wealthiest men, Sylwester Cacek, who bought the club in 2007. Eight years later they went bankrupt and suffered several relegations.
They finally returned to the top-flight Ekstraklasa in the 2022-23 season. They are currently 11th in the 18-team league.
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