Raków Częstochowa is gearing up for the new season and making the most high-profile transfer in the Ekstraklasa. Tomasz Pieńko, a 21-year-old attacking midfielder and former leader of Zagłębie Lubin, joins Marek Papszun's team. The transfer fee was a staggering €1.7 million, making Pieńko the most expensive player ever signed from a Polish club by another Ekstraklasa team. The player has signed a contract until June 2029, and Raków has high hopes for him. Pieńko is expected to be not only a temporary addition but also a cornerstone of the team for the coming seasons. The talented attacking player has been considered one of the biggest young names in Poland for several years now. He has already made over 70 appearances in the Ekstraklasa and has also regularly featured for the youth national teams. His technical, creative, and daring playing style perfectly aligns with Papszun's philosophy.
A new generation in Raków – young Poles in the foreground
Pieńko's transfer is a continuation of Raków's clearly established strategy of consistently recruiting young, promising Poles. In recent months, the team has welcomed:
Ariel Mosór – 22-year-old central defender from Piast Gliwice, youth representative.
Michael Ameyaw – 24-year-old dynamic winger, with a past at Piast.
Karol Struski – 24-year-old central midfielder, brought from Aris Limassol, previously playing for Jagiellonia.
Kacper Trelowski – 21-year-old goalkeeper, a Raków alumnus and currently one of the best young goalkeepers in the league.
Each of them is a player who already has a real impact on the team's sporting level and, at the same time, represents an investment in the club's future.
Raków changes direction – investing in Polish youth
Just a few seasons ago, Raków relied primarily on experienced foreign players, building a squad based on solidity and practice. Today, it's clear that the Częstochowa-based club is changing its approach – focusing on Poles, primarily young, ambitious, and developing players. The transfer of Tomasz Pieńko is not just a sporting boost, but a clear signal that Raków wants to build a team based on Polish foundations – while also developing future national team players.