A midfield maestro: VfL Bochum 1848 strengthens with Jacek Góralski. The 29-year-old Pole joins the club on a free transfer from Kazakh Cup winners FK Kairat Almaty. Góralski’s contract with the Blue-Whites runs until June 30, 2024. For the 21-time Polish international, Bochum is the third foreign station, the Bundesliga will be his fourth first league experience.
Jacek Góralski has played 57 games in the Polish Ekstraklasa, 47 games in the highest Bulgarian division and 26 games in the Kazakh Premier League. His personal collection of titles includes Bulgarian (with Ludogorets Razgrad) and Kazakh (with Kairat Almaty) championships, as well as the Bulgarian Super Cup and the Kazakh Cup. With the Polish national team, the midfielder has already participated in the 2018 World Cup, recently qualifying for this year’s World Cup, and was recently in the starting eleven in the UEFA Nations League’s 2-1 win over Wales and 2-2 draw with the Netherlands.
“We need players who are competitive and robust, especially in the center, for the challenging second season in the Bundesliga. Jacek Góralski possesses these characteristics, in addition to having led the way as captain of Kairat Almaty. In addition to his 130 first league games, he has made over 30 appearances in the European Cup, plus his career with the national team. He will enrich our game with and against the ball,” said Sebastian Schindzielorz, managing director of sport at VfL Bochum 1848.
Bochum’s new signing is “very happy that the move to VfL Bochum has worked out. The talks with those responsible were very good and quickly convinced me to take this step,” said Jacek Góralski. “The Bundesliga is one of the top 5 leagues in Europe, it will be an interesting challenge. I’m looking forward to competing with my new teammates at this level.”
Player data JACEK GÓRALSKI
Date and place of birth: 21.09.1992 in Bydgoszcz/POL
height: 172 cm
Weight: 66 kg
Nationality: Poland
Ekstraklasa/POL Games/Goals: 57/3
efbet Liga/BUL Games/Goals: 47/0
Premier League/KAZ Games/Goals: 26/0
CL Games/Goals: 3/0
EL Games/Goals: 27/0
ECL Games/Goals: 4/0
International matches/goals: 21/1
Achievements: Bulgarian champion (2018), Bulgarian Super Cup winner (2019), Kazakh champion (2020), Kazakh Cup winner (2021)
Participation: World Cup 2018
Previous clubs: FK Kairat Almaty (KAZ, 01/2020 – 07/2022), Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL, 2017 – 01/2020), Jagiellonia Bialystok (POL, 2015-17), Wisla Plock (POL, 2011-15), Blekitni Gabin (POL, 08/2011 – 09/2011), Victoria Koronowo (POL, 02/2011 – 08/2011), Zawisza Bydgoszcz (POL, until 02/2011).