Mikael Ishak joins Lech

The 27-year-old Swedish striker came to Poznań on Monday evening and after passing all medical tests, hesigned an agreement with Lech which will last until 2023. “The Poznań club is always aiming for trophies and that was a decisive factor in my move. I am very happy with my choice. I want to achieve great things but most importantly help the team win as much as possible. That’s my objective,” explained Ishak. “I am a team player who will always want the best for its squad. I have heard a lot about Lech’s supporters and I know how loyal they are. I have had the chance to play at clubs where the pressure was very high, such as Nuremberg and Cologne, and I enjoy it,” added the striker.

Ishak joined Lech from FC Nürnberg where over the past 3.5 years he played in more than 80 matches and scored 20 goals. Although most of these goals he scored in II Bundesliga, in the season 2018/19 he appeared in 29 top-tier games, scoring 4 times, and assisting his teammates 3 times.

This week his contract with FC Nürnberg, which was extended until the two-leg clash with FC Ingolstadt, expired. In the past, the 27-year-old represented the likes of Randers FC (34 goals in 78 games), FC Crotone and FC St. Gallen 1879. His adventure with European football started back in 2012 when he debuted in Bundesliga wearing FC Köln's shirt alongside players like Peszko and Podoloski.

Ishak also has gained some experience playing for the Swedish national team. In the 4 appearance he has made so far, he scored one goal, against Estonia in 2016. Last time the Swedish national team coach called up the striker was in 2018. Lech’s latest transfer was also a part of the squad that competed at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ishak himself played 3 matches during that tournament and scored a crucial goal against Colombia. However, following losses against Nigeria and Japan, Sweden was eliminated.

Lech’s coaching staff led by Żuraw doesn’t hide their joy about the new transfer, especially considering that the Polish club wasn’t the only one interested in the striker.

“We are very happy that we signed a three-year contract with Ishak. Our scouts have been observing the striker for the past couple of years. The Swede competed in top-tier Bundesliga and the lower division whilst scoring goals regularly. In addition, he gained some experience in Denmark where he found the back of the net 34 times. It’s back in the days when Ishak represented Randers that we reached a conclusion that he fits our style perfectly. He’s very good with his back towards the goal and participates in all offensive attempts. He’s quick, good at both combination and more direct play,” emphasised Tomasz Rząsa, Lech’s Sporting Director. “In the box, Ishak is a big advantage as he is two-footed. We are hoping that he adapts to our play quickly and by showing his talent and capabilities here at Lech, he receives another call-up from the national team,” added Rząsa.

Ishak is Lech’s third 2020 summer transfer. The club from Poznań have recently signed agreements with Alan Czerwiński from Zagłębie Lubin, and sc Heerenveen’s former keeper, Filip Bednarek.