Former £3.5m Celtic star joins new team & links up with £70m man after being branded biggest flop in old club’s history
IT was only last November that he was considered a marquee signing when he found his new club back in his homeland. But things quickly turned sour for the former Celtic star as he only made eight starts for the rest of the season and was branded the ‘biggest transfer failure’ in the club’s history after failing to score a single goal. The SunThings didn’t work out for Patryk Klimala in Glasgow[/caption] The SunNow he is on the move again after a nightmare few months[/caption] Patryk Klimala, now 25, has been around the block in is career to date having spent time in America and Israel after his short – and rather forgettable – spell in Scotland. Signed by Neil Lennon in January 2020, the Hoops forked out around £3.5million to prise him away from Poland and bring him to Glasgow on a four-year deal. But he didn’t even last 18 months at Parkhead as he was shown the door the following year and headed to the MLS to join New York Red Bulls instead. He stayed in New York until January 2023 before leaving the club to join Hapoel Be’er Sheva. But much-like his time in Scotland, Klimala failed to kick on in the Middle East and ended up leaving the club last November by mutual consent following the breakout of the Israel-Hamas war. He returned to his native Poland and that’s when he signed a deal with Slask Wroclaw, Despite a disappointing start for the striker, who was the highest paid player at the club, the club’s owner jumped to his defence amid criticism this summer and told fans to be patient with him as he insisted the hitman would turn out to be a “star player” for the club. But just weeks later, his manager had enough and booted him out of the squad after taking aim over his “terrible” performance against fourth division side Rokita Brzeg Dolny Although he was a free transfer, several Polish outlets had blasted the forward’s arrival as one of the worst transfer deals in the history of the nation’s top flight due to the extremely lucrative contract he was offered. Under contract until 2027, the club and Kilmala’s agent have been deep in talks over finding a solution to let him leave in order to free up wages. The 25-year-old was set to join Belgian side Standard Liege in July but the move collapsed at the final stages. At that moment, it looked like the club would have to make do with Kilmala still at the club until January. That was until one club swooped in this week to finally end the long-running transfer saga. Klimala has finally sealed a move away from Poland after agreeing to join Australian side Sydney FC on loan until the end of the season. The transfer was confirmed today and the Aussie side have the option to sign him permanently next summer if he impresses during his stint. Klimala has been officially unveiled by the Sky Blues and will wear the No.9 shirt for the coming season. And he has been signed to lead the club’s star-studded A-League attack next season, with the side already snapping up former Bayern Munich and Juventus winger Douglas Costa on a two-year deal. Speaking after the deal was confirmed, Klimala said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Sydney FC at an extremely exciting time for the club and for the A-League. “I’ve heard a lot about the passion for football in Australia, and I’m excited by Sydney FC’s playing style which suits my game, as well as our Asian Champions League campaign. “I understand Sydney FC has a rich history of winning trophies and I’m eager to contribute and create a legacy. “In short, I can’t wait to experience life Down Under.” Manager Ufuk Talay said: “Patryk is a player we’ve had our eyes on for some time, he was absolutely our number one target so I’m delighted we’ve signed the deal. “He’s got great speed, he is strong in the air, and his work rate is exceptional. “He is the type of forward who is always a threat in behind the defence, and he will bring a lot of energy to the team. “I really like his hunger to score goals and his determination to improve.” Our New YouTube Channel Subscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments. We’ve got every major development covered from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and the rest of the Scottish Premiership. Plus we have TWO brilliant new podcasts to watch every week… MONDAY Go Ballistic with Roger Hannah and special guest Kris Boyd will dissect all the weekend action and deliver their no-holds-barred reaction. WEDNESDAY Robert Grieve and Bill Leckie chew over the tastiest topics in Scottish football and offer their unique takes in their Coffee Club. FRIDAY Go Ballistic is back with Roger Hannah and top tipster Jim Delahunt looking ahead to the weeke
IT was only last November that he was considered a marquee signing when he found his new club back in his homeland.
But things quickly turned sour for the former Celtic star as he only made eight starts for the rest of the season and was branded the ‘biggest transfer failure’ in the club’s history after failing to score a single goal.
Things didn’t work out for Patryk Klimala in Glasgow[/caption] Now he is on the move again after a nightmare few months[/caption]Patryk Klimala, now 25, has been around the block in is career to date having spent time in America and Israel after his short – and rather forgettable – spell in Scotland.
Signed by Neil Lennon in January 2020, the Hoops forked out around £3.5million to prise him away from Poland and bring him to Glasgow on a four-year deal.
But he didn’t even last 18 months at Parkhead as he was shown the door the following year and headed to the MLS to join New York Red Bulls instead.
He stayed in New York until January 2023 before leaving the club to join Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
But much-like his time in Scotland, Klimala failed to kick on in the Middle East and ended up leaving the club last November by mutual consent following the breakout of the Israel-Hamas war.
He returned to his native Poland and that’s when he signed a deal with Slask Wroclaw,
Despite a disappointing start for the striker, who was the highest paid player at the club, the club’s owner jumped to his defence amid criticism this summer and told fans to be patient with him as he insisted the hitman would turn out to be a “star player” for the club.
But just weeks later, his manager had enough and booted him out of the squad after taking aim over his “terrible” performance against fourth division side Rokita Brzeg Dolny
Although he was a free transfer, several Polish outlets had blasted the forward’s arrival as one of the worst transfer deals in the history of the nation’s top flight due to the extremely lucrative contract he was offered.
Under contract until 2027, the club and Kilmala’s agent have been deep in talks over finding a solution to let him leave in order to free up wages.
The 25-year-old was set to join Belgian side Standard Liege in July but the move collapsed at the final stages.
At that moment, it looked like the club would have to make do with Kilmala still at the club until January.
That was until one club swooped in this week to finally end the long-running transfer saga.
Klimala has finally sealed a move away from Poland after agreeing to join Australian side Sydney FC on loan until the end of the season.
The transfer was confirmed today and the Aussie side have the option to sign him permanently next summer if he impresses during his stint.
Klimala has been officially unveiled by the Sky Blues and will wear the No.9 shirt for the coming season.
And he has been signed to lead the club’s star-studded A-League attack next season, with the side already snapping up former Bayern Munich and Juventus winger Douglas Costa on a two-year deal.
Speaking after the deal was confirmed, Klimala said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Sydney FC at an extremely exciting time for the club and for the A-League.
“I’ve heard a lot about the passion for football in Australia, and I’m excited by Sydney FC’s playing style which suits my game, as well as our Asian Champions League campaign.
“I understand Sydney FC has a rich history of winning trophies and I’m eager to contribute and create a legacy.
“In short, I can’t wait to experience life Down Under.”
Manager Ufuk Talay said: “Patryk is a player we’ve had our eyes on for some time, he was absolutely our number one target so I’m delighted we’ve signed the deal.
“He’s got great speed, he is strong in the air, and his work rate is exceptional.
“He is the type of forward who is always a threat in behind the defence, and he will bring a lot of energy to the team.
“I really like his hunger to score goals and his determination to improve.”
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