1. FC Köln have officially confirmed that right-back Jusuf Gazibegović has completed a season-long loan move to Polish top-flight outfit Widzew Łódź. The 26-year-old will spend the entire 2026/27 campaign in the Ekstraklasa after the Bundesliga club informed him he would not feature in their upcoming plans.
Gazibegović, who operates primarily as a right-back, remains contracted to Köln until 2028. The Bosnian defender had been seeking regular first-team football after falling out of favour at the RheinEnergieStadion. Widzew Łódź, currently competing in Poland’s highest division, will provide the platform for him to rebuild match fitness and demonstrate his capabilities at a competitive level.
The player expressed disappointment at leaving Köln but welcomed the fresh opportunity in Poland. “Of course, I would have liked another chance to prove myself at FC Köln. Unfortunately, the management decided otherwise,” he stated following the announcement. “Now I’m happy to have found a club in Widzew Łódź where I’ll have the opportunity to show what I can do from the start of the season, with the clear goal of becoming a regular starter again. I’ll give everything I have in Łódź to achieve that.”
Sporting director Thomas Kessler elaborated on the club’s decision to omit Gazibegović from their immediate squad planning. “We informed Gazi early and transparently that he would not play a role in our sporting plans for the upcoming season,” Kessler explained. “It was important to us to give him that clarity as early as possible so that he and his agent could work on the best possible solution for his future. Together, we have now found an arrangement that makes sense for everyone involved and gives Gazi the opportunity to gain regular playing time at a good level with Widzew Łódź.”
The temporary switch allows Gazibegović to secure consistent minutes on the pitch while maintaining his long-term ties to the German club. Should he impress during his spell in Łódź, the full-back could return to challenge for a position in Köln’s defence when his loan concludes. Widzew Łódź will benefit from his Bundesliga experience as they navigate the demands of the Ekstraklasa campaign.