Raków Częstochowa have officially announced Mahir Emreli as their new signing - a transfer that marks a historic moment for the club, as the Azerbaijani striker becomes the first player from his country to represent Raków in the Ekstraklasa. The 28-year-old joins on a one-season loan deal with a permanent buy option after the 2026/27 campaign, aiming to bolster the Red-Blues' attack in their title push. The Częstochowa side currently sits 4th in the Ekstraklasa standings with 55 points from 34 games, five points adrift of league leaders Lech Poznań.

What happened?

Mahir Emreli is now a Raków Częstochowa player. The 28-year-old attacker - who can also play as an attacking midfielder - arrives from German side Kaiserslautern under a loan deal valid until the end of the 2026/27 season, with a permanent purchase option included. Standing at 187 cm, Emreli brings 61 caps for Azerbaijan and European competition experience to the table.

Why this matters for Raków Częstochowa

For Raków Częstochowa, this signing carries double significance. First, Emreli arrives with valuable experience from multiple European leagues, including spells at Legia Warsaw, Dinamo Zagreb, FC Nuremberg, and Kaiserslautern. Last season in Germany, he made 13 appearances and scored twice. Second, the Azerbaijani becomes the first-ever player from his country to wear the Raków jersey, opening a new chapter in the club's transfer strategy.

What's next for Emreli at Raków?

Emreli joins as Raków Częstochowa fight to stay in the Ekstraklasa title race. The team from Częstochowa suffered a 2-3 loss to PSV Eindhoven on July 11, 2026, showing they need more firepower up front. The new signing is set to make his debut soon, especially as Raków needs more goals - they've scored 51 times this season but conceded 40. Emreli's arrival is another step in building a competitive squad capable of realistically challenging for the Polish championship.