Twitter / Pictured: Rafael Jekiewicz
Rafał Gikiewicz officially returns to PKO Ekstraklasa. The goalkeeper has signed a contract with Widzew Łódź, who will be fighting for relegation in the coming months.
On Monday, the whereabouts of Rafael Jekiewicz, who was recently a free agent, became known. The goalkeeper came to Lodz and underwent medical tests in Widzew. He was already sure that his return to the PKO Ekstraklasa was only one step away.
Fans had to wait for more than a day to get the official confirmation. Only on Tuesday afternoon Widzew Łódź announced that it had reached an agreement with the player and the contract had been signed.
– We started preliminary talks with Rafael in February. After his contract issues were resolved in Türkiye, there was an opportunity to begin negotiations. He is a player with extensive experience gained in the Ekstraklasa, the Bundesliga and the Turkish League. Rafael also has great ambition and a good mentality that fits well with our dressing room – says sporting director Tomas Vishniarik on the official website.
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The 36-year-old has signed a contract until the end of the season, but with an option to extend it. A lot here will depend on the fate that FC Lodz will face after the season. Widzew is in a battle for relegation and is currently just two points above the relegation zone.
Returning to Poland represents a very big challenge for me, both mentally and athletically. I know a lot of people expect me to give points to Widzew. I won't win games myself, but I will try to infect my teammates with my style and bring some dream elements into Widzew's dressing room. Together, we are able to win and bring happiness to the fans, because we play for them – says the goalkeeper.
Gikiewicz last played in the PKO Ekstraklasa in the 2013/14 season for Ślěsk Wrocław. Then he went to Germany, where he played for Eintracht Braunschweig, Freiburg, Union Berlin and Augsburg. At the latter club he was one of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga.
Before this season he decided to move to Türkiye. The move to Ankaracucu turned out to be a failure, as he played five league matches there and in the winter his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
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