Former Celtic striker joins Sydney FC

New Sydney FC striker Patryk Klimala promises he will have been worth the wait after initially turning down the chance to join the A-League heavyweights.

The former Polish under-21 international – whose previous clubs include Celtic and New York Red Bulls – has moved to the Sky Blues on a season-long loan deal from Sląsk Wroclaw.

Sky Blues head of player management Alex Baumjohann first made contact with Klimala in June, but the 26-year-old attacker “wasn’t ready” to move his family from Poland to Australia.

“We decided with my family to stay in Poland in Europe and play over there, but one day, me and my wife just decided that we want to go to Sydney,” Klimala said.

“Finally, I decided to join the team and I’m happy to be here. The sporting director (Baumjohann) pushed a lot, so probably it’s because of this also.”

Klimala is confident of scoring plenty of goals in a Sydney outfit that also includes recent marquee signing, Brazilian winger Douglas Costa.

“It’s my style of playing. I like to press a lot,” he said after watching the Sky Blues play in a friendly.

“I can see that they have a lot of quality and they are hard workers.

“I understand Sydney FC has a rich history of winning trophies and I’m eager to contribute and create a legacy.”

The five-time A-League champions have the option of buying Klimala from Sląsk Wroclaw at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Sky Blues coach Ufuk Talay said Klimala would bring “a lot of energy” to Sydney’s team.

“Patryk is a player we’ve had our eyes on for some time and he was absolutely our No.1 target, so I’m delighted we’ve finally signed the deal,” Talay said.

“He’s got great speed, he is strong in the air, and his work rate is exceptional. He is the type of forward who is always a threat in behind the defence.”

Klimala and Costa were on Tuesday included in Sydney’s 33-man AFC Champions League Two squad.

The Sky Blues open their continental campaign on Thursday week against Hong Kong outfit Eastern SC at Jubilee Oval.

Former Juventus and Bayern Munich star Costa said: “It’s a game I’m really looking forward to and excited to finally make my Sky Blues debut.

“It’s a very important game for us in a big competition as we want to succeed in Asia and prove we are one of the best teams.”