Lechia Gdańsk close to signing 19-year-old left-back

Lechia Gdańsk stand ninth in Ekstraklasa, 37 pts, 12W-6D-10L from 28 games, recent form LWWLW are close to completing the signing of 19-year-old Ukrainian left-back Danylo Malov from Olimpija Ljubljana. The White-Greens have been in advanced talks with the Slovenian club for a permanent deal over the past few days.

Malov has already visited Gdańsk for medicals, though he did not take part in Tuesday’s training session. The youngster is set to bolster the defensive line, which currently relies heavily on the out-of-position Igor Bambecki. Head coach Władysław Łupaszko had also eyed him for Karpaty Lviv, but Lechia opted for the young defender—a move in line with the club’s long-standing policy.

What do we know about Danylo Malov?

In the 2025/26 season, Malov was on loan at Armenian side Gandzasar Kapan, making six appearances and logging 428 minutes on the pitch. Earlier, he featured three times for NK Domžale. Across senior football, he has just nine matches to his name, which may not sound impressive, but scouts at Lechia see potential in his development.

Transfermarkt values him at €125,000, and his contract with Olimpija Ljubljana runs until June 2028. That means Lechia would have to pay a release clause to sign him permanently. Despite his limited senior experience, Malov has 12 caps for Ukraine U19, underlining his growth trajectory.

Why Malov is a smart move for Lechia Gdańsk

Lechia Gdańsk need defensive upgrades, and Malov is set to be one of three new defenders the club plans to bring in. Alongside him, two central defenders are also expected, as part of efforts to shore up the backline after a shaky start to the campaign.

At 19, Malov is still early in his senior career, fitting Lechia’s tradition of signing young talents who can develop in Ekstraklasa. The Ukrainian has been following Lechia on Instagram, a sign he’s taken notice of the Gdańsk-based side.

What’s next in the transfer saga?

Lechia Gdańsk are pushing to finalize talks with Olimpija Ljubljana soon. If an agreement is reached, Malov could join the squad ahead of the next league fixtures. The team has scored 55 and conceded 51, leaving them with a +4 goal difference, but needs more solid defensive displays.

Their next match comes on 24 October 2026 away to Puszcza Niepołomice. The White-Greens will be hoping the new arrivals help turn their league form around.