Former Arsenal Forward Lukas Podolski Takes Charge of Górnik Zabrze

Lukas Podolski, a former German international and Arsenal forward, has become the majority owner of Górnik Zabrze, a Polish football club where he chose to end his playing career.

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Born just 11km away from the club’s stadium, Podolski has a deep connection with Górnik, describing it as his ‘boyhood club.’ He played for Arsenal between 2012 and 2015, during which time he became a fan favorite in north London for his impressive goal-scoring record and charismatic personality.

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Podolski’s takeover of Górnik was completed in stages, with his company, LP Holding GmbH, initially purchasing around 8.3% of the club’s shares from Allianz Polska Services in December 2025. This made him the club’s second-largest shareholder behind the city of Zabrze.

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The takeover formed part of a wider privatization process, with the city signaling its readiness to hand control to a private investor. In May 2026, the Zabrze City Council approved the sale of an 86% stake in the club to LP Holding GmbH for approximately £795,800.

The agreement includes a commitment from Podolski to invest further funds over the next three years to stabilize Górnik’s finances and support its sporting plans. The city has retained a minority holding and a ‘golden share’ to protect the club’s name, crest, and location.

In an interview with Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, Podolski spoke about his decision to retire from playing and his new role as the majority owner of Górnik. He reflected on his time as a player, saying, ‘I’m currently still in the holiday phase – just like the players are right now.’ He acknowledged that it would be emotional and difficult for him to step away from the pitch, as football had been his whole life.

Podolski also discussed his relationship with 1. FC Köln, another club closely tied to his career. He stated that his focus was not on FC Köln at present, citing the changes at the club and the lack of a genuine interest from the team’s management and supporters.

Looking ahead, Podolski aims to build Górnik steadily and make the team competitive in European competitions again. He has ruled out immediate, widespread change, which he believes could backfire. Instead, he plans to invest in the club’s infrastructure and support its sporting plans to achieve long-term success.

Podolski’s decision to retire from playing and take charge of Górnik marks a new chapter in his life. As he transitions from the pitch to the boardroom, he remains committed to his passion for football and his desire to make a difference in the sport he loves.