Podolski ends playing days with boyhood club takeover in Poland

The final whistle has blown on Lukas Podolski’s playing career, but the former Arsenal forward is stepping into a new role at the club that shaped his childhood. In a staged takeover completed this month, Podolski, 41, has become the majority shareholder of Poland’s Górnik Zabrze.

The process began in December 2025, when Podolski’s company LP Holding GmbH purchased around 8.3 per cent of Górnik’s shares from Allianz Polska Services, elevating him to the club’s second-largest shareholder behind the city of Zabrze. This initial step was part of a broader privatisation initiative, with the city signalling its readiness to transfer control to a private investor.

By May 2026, the Zabrze City Council approved the sale of an 86 per cent stake in Górnik to LP Holding GmbH for just under 4 million złoty, covering more than one million shares. The agreement includes a commitment from Podolski to invest further funds over the next three years to stabilise the club’s finances and support its sporting ambitions.

The city retained a minority holding and a “golden share” to safeguard Górnik’s identity, name, crest, and location. Podolski, who retired from playing, reflected on the emotional transition in an interview with Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. “I’m currently still in the holiday phase – just like the players are right now,” he said. “During this phase, it’s still somewhat normal not to train, not to be on the pitch.”

He added: “When the others go onto the pitch and you’re standing next to them – or not even there at all – I think that will be emotional and difficult for me. Because football has been my whole life. For as long as I can remember. And of course, I’ll always miss it.”

Podolski also spoke about the difficulty of ending his playing career, even as he acknowledged the timing felt right. “It’s really tough,” he said. “The documentary gives you a little insight into what it does to you. Maybe this time it was a bit easier than the year before – but still extremely difficult.”

He recalled the emotional significance of winning the Polish Cup with Górnik Zabrze, calling it “something really special,” and credited his family for convincing him to play one more year before retiring. “I’m proud and happy that I continued,” he said. “But now the time has come to end it. And that feels – even though it’s hard – right.”

When asked about a possible return to 1. FC Köln, another club tied to his career, Podolski ruled out any immediate involvement. “No, FC Köln isn’t on my radar right now,” he said. “There were so many opportunities to get closer to the club, but with all the changes at the club – in management, in the surrounding environment – things always get a bit blurry.”

He concluded: “I never got the feeling that FC Köln genuinely wanted me. That’s why I’ve taken a different path these past few years. And as things stand today, I’m happy with that path. I’ve proven to myself that I can make a difference as an entrepreneur, as a club owner.”

Looking ahead, Podolski said his focus is on building Górnik Zabrze steadily, aiming to restore the club’s competitiveness in European competitions without pursuing rapid, high-risk changes.