The New York Red Bulls announced on Tuesday that they have purchased Polish striker Wiktor Bogacz from Miedz Legnica for an undisclosed transfer fee.
The 20-year-old subsequently signed a four-year contract with a fifth-year option for the 2029 season. He has been signed as an under-22 initiative player, pending the receipt of his P-1 visa and ITC.
“We are very excited to have Wiktor [Bogacz] join our club,” Red Bulls head of sport Jochen Schneider said. “He is a promising young striker with a lot of potential that has shown well with Miedz Legnica, and his qualities will help our club achieve our goals for the future.”
Bogacz spent the last two seasons with Miedz Legnica of the Betclic 1 Liga, the second tier of Polish soccer. In 27 career appearances for the club, he recorded eight goals and two assists. Three of those tallies came this season in 11 appearances.
“Wiktor possesses great qualities that we look for in our strikers,” Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz said. “We cannot wait to have him on the pitch with us and to work with him to keep helping him reach his full potential.”
A strong forward who is capable of finishing under pressure, Bogacz had been linked to a move with Italian giants Juventus in recent months. He joins a Red Bulls team that has already added former Bayern Munich and PSG striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting — a 35-year-old veteran who will likely become a mentor of sorts for Bogacz and other young forwards moving throughout New York’s system, including the 19-year-old Serge Ngoma.
There will be an avenue to attain playing time almost immediately with the Red Bulls, who are looking for a sustainable answer up front rather than relying on a natural winger like Lewis Morgan to step in when needed. Choupo-Moting’s veteran status might make it difficult for him to be a regular starter, while Belgian Dante Vanzeir has struggled to solidify his place within the squad.
Kcassman