Piast Gliwice officially announced a new goalkeeper – 21‑year‑old Marcel Mendes‑Dudziński signed a contract until June 30, 2029. The transfer was confirmed on Saturday afternoon via the club's official channels and social media.

Who is he and where did he come from?

Marcel Mendes‑Dudziński, a product of Pogoń Szczecin, spent recent years at Legia Warsaw, although he never made a senior appearance. Last season he was loaned to Świt Szczecin, where he did not feature in any matches. His contract with Legia expired, allowing Piast to act quickly and acquire the young talent on a free transfer.

Why does it matter for Piast?

Piast Gliwice is battling to stay up – currently sitting 15th in the Ekstraklasa with 41 points, a record of 11 wins, 8 draws and 15 losses from 34 games, and a recent form of LLDDD. Adding Mendes‑Dudziński could strengthen a defence that has conceded 46 goals while scoring 42 this season (‑4 goal difference). Coach Janusz Gajda hopes the youngster will bring fresh energy and help reverse the negative trend.

What are the expectations?

The new signing will compete for the starting spot with the current number one, who is under pressure after the recent 2‑1 loss to Widzew Łódź on May 23, 2026. Mendes‑Dudziński has a chance to prove himself in training and soon in league matches, as Piast needs stability at the back to stop the rising number of opponent shots.

What comes next?

The club announced that the young goalkeeper will be integrated into daily training sessions and will be monitored for potential starts in upcoming games. If he seizes the opportunity, he could become a key piece in the fight to stay in the league, especially as Piast sits 19 points behind leaders Lech Poznań. Fans will see him on the bench as early as next week when the team takes on its next fixture in the 34th round of the season.