Sydney FC signing Patryk Klimala explained his decision to move to the Isuzu UTE A-League, having initially agreed to stay in Europe.
The 26-year-old was linked with the Sky Blues earlier in the transfer window and reports suggested Klimala had no intention of leaving Europe.
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But after falling out of favour in Poland, the ex-New York Red Bulls forward told reporters: “Why Sydney FC and why now?
“At the beginning of the transfer window, we decided with my family to stay in Europe.
“But at the end of the window, the sport director pushed a lot to bring me here and my situation at my Polish club, I didn’t want to stay there for the next months.
“We agreed together to move to Australia. Also, my wife was so happy to move to Australia. That was the reason.”
Klimala signed for Scottish giants Celtic in January 2020, where he won the Scottish Premiership and two Scottish Cups in Glasgow before his departure to MLS outfit New York Red Bulls in April 2021.
He flourished in the United States, scoring 14 goals and 11 assists across two seasons.
It has been somewhat of a challenging period for Klimala since leaving MLS in 2022, following a stint in Israel via Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Slask Wroclaw in his homeland.
Asked if a move to Sydney alongside former Brazil, Bayern Munich and Juventus star Douglas Costa was a re-boot for his career, Klimala replied: “I think it is a little bit.
“But it’s not like I came here and I have a big head now and I’m going to chill out here.
“I came here to work hard and to win everything possible. That’s why I’m here.”
Sydney FC boss Ufuk Talay also fronted the media and discussed how Klimala will fit into a high-pressing side that also boasts English star Joe Lolley.
“He has played for a team who presses when he was back in MLS, so that was one of the attributes we looked at. We’re a team that likes to press,” said Talay.
“But he also had a good record while in MLS. He is going to be a great addition to us and the competition.”
Klimala said Sydney and his former side the Red Bulls have the “same” style.
“With the players around him, we create a lot of moments and we do hope he does score goals,” added Talay.
“He is clinical when he gets into those moments. He is a player who likes to get in behind. He ha speed and good presence. On the other side of the game, he will definitely give us legs to close down opponents.”
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Sydney have been busy in the transfer market following their run to the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League Semi-Finals.
The Sky Blues have recruit Douglas Costa, former Serie A midfielder Leo Sena, Harrison Devenish-Meares and Anas Ouahim.
But Talay is eyeing one more signing – an Australian defender – as the Sky Blue prepare to kick off their AFC Champions League 2 campaign against Eastern on September 19 before a Round 1 derby against Western Sydney Wanderers on October 19.
“It’s still going. It’s still going at the moment,” Talay responded.
“No hints. It’s an ongoing process. The reality is the window in Europe is closed and the Australian window is going to close soon, so if something is to be done, it needs to be done in the next few days.
“We can only bring in an Australian player.”
