Puchacz leaves Lech

“Last year we received great offers for Tymoteusz but back then, transfer wasn’t an option. We have come to the agreement that Puchacz is going to stay at Lech for another year and whenever a satisfactory offer comes along, we would give him a green light to leave. As a matter of fact, he was the only player who had our blessing to move to another club in the following summer, on the condition that the offer would meet our requirements, also in terms of the player’s professional development. We believe that Bundesliga and 1. FC Union are a great choice for Puchacz. We wish him all the best and we know it’s not a “goodbye” but rather, a “see you later”,” said Lech’s Sporting Director, Tomasz Rząsa.

In the past months, a few of Tymoteusz’s friends have left Lech’s dressing, among them Mateusz Skrzypczak (on loan), Kamil Jóźwiak (Derby County) and Jakub Moder (Brighton & Hove Albion). “We have all made the promise to return to Lech towards the end of our careers and achieve what we haven’t yet managed to accomplish with the club, that is win the Polish Championship title, Polish Cup, and a few other trophies. This is the only thing that has been missing thus far,” explained Tymoteusz Puchacz.

“It was time for me to take the next step in my career. I felt ready and so I’d like to thank the club that they have enabled me to move to another club just like they promised last year. I am fully aware that this league season hasn’t been a good one for us, although I’d like to emphasise that for me personally, the qualification to Europa League group phase is something that I won’t ever forget. As an individual, I have grown a lot which is reflected in my call-up for the Polish national team for the upcoming European Championship. I will represent proudly not only Poland but also Lech Poznań in the international arena. Poznań is my city and Lech is my life, my family. Therefore, I can reassure everyone that it’s not a final goodbye. I will be back,” highlighted the defender.

Puchacz joined Lech’s academy back in 2013 and climbed up the club’s ladder, competing for all junior teams in the structures. On May 7^th, 2017 he debuted in Ekstraklasa in Nieciecza, against Termalica Bruk-Bet (3:0). Then Puchacz competed for Zagłębie Sosnowiec and GKS Katowice as a part of his loan to then return to Poznań in 2019 and win a spot in the starting line-up right away. In total, Puchacz played in 65 matches for Lech and scored 4 goals. In the past season, the defender appeared in 41 games (27 league matches, 10 in Europa League, and 4 Polish Cup clashes). In addition, Puchacz has been regularly called up by the youth Polish national team coach and has recently been recognised by the senior national team manager ahead of this summer’s European Championship. After the tournament, Puchacz is going to officially join his new club, 1. FC Union Berlin.