Latest news with #PolishCup
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd to earn 'substantial' windfall for player sold less than 12 months ago
Manchester United's Profit and Sustainability concerns are set to be eased with one of their former academy players expected to be on the move this summer, just a year ater leaving the Red Devils Manchester United are set to earn a substantial transfer windfall thanks to former star Maxi Oyedele. The United academy graduate left the Red Devils a year ago for Legia Warsaw, having never played a senior game at Old Trafford. But he has starred in Poland, making 24 appearances in all competitions as Legia won the Polish Cup. That was their first major trophy since 2023, with Oyedele playing all 90 minutes of the final. Though he only joined last summer and has two years to run on his contract, the midfielder is attracting strong interest. Werder Bremen, PSV Eindhoven, Anderlecht, Club Brugge and a number of Championship sides are understood to be monitoring the 20-year-old. There is a release clause in his contract that means he is available for a tick over £5million this summer. There is a growing expectation at Legia that he will be departing the club after just one season. If he does indeed move on, it would bank United a healthy sum, which will go a way towards easing their concerns with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules. The Red Devils are hoping to be busy this summer and any fee received will be greatly appreciated. In a surprise move given he left just 12 months ago, United will benefit substantially from Oyedele's potential transfer. When they sold him last summer, United inserted various clauses into the deal. While they only sold him for a small fee, one of the clauses they inserted was a substantial sell-on clause to ensure future profit. That sell-on clause means that United are entitled to 40 per cent of any fee Legia receive for the midfielder. If he is sold for his release clause, it would see United bank just over £2m. That money would likely go straight into easing their PSR concerns, with a buy-back option also included in the original deal. A departure for Oyedele would come as somewhat of a surprise given his short time in Poland. Speaking in April, the youngster insisted he was happy with life in the capital city. 'It's just funny for my mum because she left Poland to come to England and make a life; I left England to go to Poland to start my journey,' Oyedele told The Guardian. 'Legia was the biggest opportunity. "I don't even think I realised how big of an opportunity it was when I heard about it. I felt like this was the opportunity to play in Europe, the biggest team in Poland. It's my nationality, so it's close to the national team. "It's always a risk to leave it, but it just seemed like the best choice. I couldn't afford to waste another year playing academy football. I could have stayed in England and continued my journey and who knows what would have happened." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadian Entrepreneur Alex Haditaghi Acquires Historic Polish Club Pogoń Szczecin, Becoming the Fourth Canadian to Own a Top-Tier European Football Team
TORONTO, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian football (Soccer) talents like Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Stephen Eustáquio, and Tajon Buchanan are making significant impacts on European football, but they are not alone in their continental conquest. Canadian business leaders are also stepping into the spotlight, acquiring and influencing top-tier European football clubs, marking a notable rise in Canadian presence in international sports management and ownership. In a significant development for international football and Canadian sports entrepreneurship, Alex Haditaghi has officially taken ownership of the storied Polish football club, Pogoń Szczecin. This acquisition marks Haditaghi as the fourth Canadian to own a football team in one of Europe's top-tier leagues, joining the ranks of elite Canadian sports investors such as Joey Saputo (owner of Bologna FC in Italy's Serie A), Mitch Goldhar (owner of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC in Israel's Premier League), and Larry Tanenbaum (owner of AS Saint-Étienne in France's Ligue 1). Founded in 1948, Pogoń Szczecin has been a beacon of Polish football, known for its rich history and deep-rooted community ties. The club's commendable performance this season, reaching the semi-finals of the Polish Cup and holding a strong 4th place in the competitive Ekstraklasa, underscores its prominence and potential in European football. Alex Haditaghi's vision for Pogoń Szczecin is to elevate the club to new heights by leveraging his extensive international business acumen. "It is an honor to join such a prestigious league of Canadian sports investors and to contribute to the rich history of Pogoń Szczecin," said Haditaghi. "Our goal is to build on the club's legacy while infusing innovative practices and global talent, particularly from Canada, into our strategies." Pogoń Szczecin boasts one of Poland's largest football academies, nurturing over 1400 young talents. With Haditaghi's takeover, the academy is set to expand its international reach. Plans are underway to integrate Canadian youth into the academy, providing a unique opportunity for young Canadian players to develop their skills on an international stage and bridge the football cultures of Canada and Europe. "This initiative not only aims to foster sporting excellence but also to create a cultural exchange that benefits both Polish and Canadian football ecosystems," Haditaghi added. "By bringing Canadian talent to Pogoń Szczecin, we hope to open new pathways for young players and enhance the club's diversity and competitive edge." Additionally, there are several other Canadians who own football teams in lower divisions across Europe. Notably, Ryan Reynolds and his business partner Rob McElhenney own Wrexham AFC in Wales, and Jason Neale and Stewart Thompson hold a 50% ownership in Peterborough United in England's Championship division. These investments further highlight the growing trend of Canadian involvement in international football. About Alex Haditaghi Alex Haditaghi is a dynamic entrepreneur and philanthropist, recognized globally for his ventures in real estate, finance, and now sports. His strategic vision for Pogoń Szczecin is to create a model club that embodies excellence both on the field and in community engagement, setting a new standard for international football club ownership. For additional information, interviews, or media inquiries, please contact: Name Jordan French Email jordan@ Phone Number +16037068411 City/State Toronto, ON Website A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
United News of India
03-05-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Legia beats Pogon to win Polish Cup
Warsaw, May 3 (UNI) Legia Warsaw claimed the Polish Cup after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Pogon Szczecin at the National Stadium here on Friday. Legia made a strong start, launching an aggressive attack from the very first whistle. In the 13th minute, Ryoya Morishita dribbled past two opponents on the right wing and delivered a precise pass to Luquinhas, who tapped the ball into the net from close range to put his team ahead. Led by coach Goncalo Feio, the players did not slow down. In the 25th minute, they had a perfect opportunity to double their lead when the referee pointed to the penalty spot after goalkeeper Valentin Cojocaru fouled Radovan Pankov. However, the 29-year-old goalkeeper redeemed himself by saving Marc Gual's penalty effort. Pogon responded with a shot from Rafal Kurzawa in the 32nd minute, which hit the crossbar from long range. Four minutes before the break, Robert Kolendowicz's team equalized after a stunning cross from Kamil Grosicki allowed Danijel Loncar to score with a well-placed header, making it 1-1. The second half began in the best possible way for Legia. In the 46th minute, Pawel Wszolek's shot was blocked, but Morishita found the rebound and powered a shot past Cojocaru to restore the lead for Legia. In the 64th minute, Feio's team showcased its quality once again. After a brilliant through pass from Morishita, Ilya Shkurin dribbled past Cojocaru and scored into the empty net to give Legia a two-goal advantage. Pogon fought relentlessly to score its second goal just three minutes later through Efthymis Koulouris, whose shot deflected off Ruben Vinagre and into the net after a low pass from the left wing. In the 85th minute, Vinagre made amends as he confidently curled a precise shot into the far post to make the score 4-2. Despite Kacper Smolinski giving Pogon some hope of a comeback as he collected a rebound to score during stoppage time, Legia secured a 4-3 victory. This victory marked Legia Warsaw's 21st Polish Cup triumph in the club's history, while Pogon suffered its second consecutive final defeat after having lost to Wisla Krakow in the previous edition. UNI XINHUA GNK
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can Chelsea reset? Legia Warsaw challenge awaits in Europa Conference League
Chelsea will travel to the Polish capital on Thursday night to face Legia Warsaw in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final, knowing that they have a golden opportunity. With no teams from Europe's top five leagues standing between them and the final, the Blues have a clear path to the final in Wroclaw if they can overcome their next two opponents. Advertisement Many people have treated this competition as a formality since the draw was made, but recent performances suggest Enzo Maresca's side cannot afford such a mindset. They cruised through the league phase with six wins from six and overcame FC Copenhagen without conceding in the last 16. However, Chelsea's rhythm has dipped in recent weeks, with just three goals scored across their last five matches. The goalless draw against Brentford last weekend underlined their current lack of cutting-edge. The last time they won away from home in any competition was in Copenhagen over a month ago, and their away league record in 2025 still reads zero wins. Advertisement Maresca remains calm and believes his side are still on track. 'We have been there all season,' he said in his pre-match press conference. 'Hopefully, we can be there at the end.' Legia will not be overawed by the occasion. They have lost just once at home since September and, despite sitting fifth in the table, are the highest scorers in the Polish Ekstraklasa, with 50 goals. A 5-0 win over Ruch Chorzow in the Polish Cup was followed by a gritty 2-1 league victory over Gornik Zabrze, suggesting they are peaking at the right time. This is not a side to be taken lightly, especially in front of a passionate home crowd. Maresca has prepared his players for the challenge. Advertisement 'We try to show them some of the environment in this stadium so they can adapt,' Maresca added. 'They are lucky to experience that kind of game.' There is no deficit to overturn, no urgent crisis to solve, but Chelsea must see this tie for what it is – a chance to reset, dominate and take one more step towards the trophy they are expected to win.
The Guardian
09-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Maxi Oyedele: from Manchester United outcast to ‘dream' tie against Chelsea
Fourteen months ago, Maxi Oyedele was experiencing the lowest moment of a burgeoning career, being substituted after coming off the bench for a team destined for relegation from League Two. Now he is preparing for a European quarter-final with Legia Warsaw against one of the biggest clubs on the continent. Forest Green feels a world away. When any teenager is loaned by Manchester United to a lower-league club, the aim is for them to gain experience that can help them progress. In theory, this is done through positive performances and playing against senior professionals, allowing a youngster to learn the tricks of the trade. Sometimes, however, a setback is the best learning curve. It has helped the midfielder earn full international honours, the Conference League battle with Chelsea in Warsaw on Thursday and a Polish Cup final next month. 'I would put that down as one of my most valuable experiences, going to Forest Green and it not working out the way I wanted it to,' says Oyedele, who returned to United after four substitute appearances in League Two. 'The way I had to come back to the club and be back in the under-21 squad and be training in and out with the first team … that whole period was extremely, extremely tough. Whatever problems I face I know what it's like to be at the lowest point. It's only made me stronger.' A move to eastern Europe may not sound like an obvious move for someone who was brought up in Salford and joined United aged six, but Oyedele has a Polish mother and a Nigerian father. Oyedele regularly visited his mother's homeland as a child, learning the language to interact with his grandmother, and started representing Poland as a teenager. Legia came calling in the summer, offering a homecoming of sorts when it became clear he was not in Erik ten Hag's plans. 'It's just funny for my mum because she left Poland to come to England and make a life; I left England to go to Poland to start my journey,' says Oyedele. 'Legia was the biggest opportunity. I don't even think I realised how big of an opportunity it was when I heard about it. I felt like this was the opportunity to play in Europe, the biggest team in Poland. It's my nationality, so it's close to the national team. It's always a risk to leave it, but it just seemed like the best choice' The deal was completed in late August and within a couple of months Oyedele had ticked off a top-flight, European and full international debut. The central midfielder won two caps for Poland last year against Portugal, where he swapped shirts with his former club captain Bruno Fernandes, and Croatia. 'I always thought I would love to leave and start a new journey abroad,' he says. 'I couldn't afford to waste another year playing academy football. I could have stayed in England and continued my journey and who knows what would have happened. I might have not been anywhere near and now I'm about to play Chelsea.' A cacophony of noise and pyrotechnics will be used at Legia's stadium to create an intimidating atmosphere in the hope of putting Chelsea on the back foot in a tie they are heavy favourites to win. The eclectic nature of the Conference League means Legia, fifth in Poland's top division, have defeated the Welsh Premier league side Caernarfon and Real Betis on their way to this stage. 'I can't even begin to describe the Legia fans,' says Oyedele. 'It's one of the best things I've seen. I go to the stadium and I'm looking around thinking: 'Wow. It's unbelievable. I can't wait to play, in front of these fans. My debut, the fans were crazy. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion 'You just rise, it absolutely lifts you up. And then walking out they had the tifo and I was thinking: 'This is why I play football.' I've never seen anything like it for me' Legia went through three playoff rounds starting in July to reach the Conference League group stage. It has been a circuitous route to a first European quarter-final since a defeat by Panathinaikos in the Champions League 29 years ago. Anticipation has been building since they beat Molde in the last round. 'When I first joined, I watched us in the [Conference] League and thought I would love to play Chelsea,' Oyedele says. 'This was months ago, in August. For us to get to this point, to have the opportunity to play such a big game … it was this dream. This is everybody wanted and when the game finished [against Molde], we had done it. 'Now all that dream stuff is gone – it's reality. We know that it's Chelsea, so it's going to be tough, but it's a case of why not? I bet everybody thought we were going to lose to Real Betis and look what we did then.'
