Darko Churlinov joins Pogon Szczecin after aborted Widzew Łódź transfer
North Macedonian international winger Darko Churlinov terminated his contract with Turkish Süper Lig side Kocaelispor. He was then poised to sign with Polish club Widzew Łódź, undergoing medical tests and staying in a hotel, but the deal collapsed amid reported disputes over agent fees and his dissatisfaction with the testing process. Widzew goalkeeper Rafał Gikiewicz publicly defended the club’s handling of the examinations.
Subsequently, Churlinov signed a two‑year contract – with an option for a third – with Ekstraklasa club Pogon Szczecin, receiving shirt number 21. The club announced the signing officially, confirming that the Macedonian will continue his career in Poland for the coming season.
Entities: Darko Churlinov · Kocaelispor · Macedonian national football team · Pogon Szczecin · Rafał Gikiewicz · Widzew Łódź
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Churlinov underwent medical tests in Łódź and stayed in a hotel but did not complete the transfer. (Widzew representative Rafał Gikiewicz described the situation during a TV interview.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Rafał Gikiewicz defended Widzew Łódź’s handling of the medical tests. (Gikiewicz said the medical testing was professional during a TV interview.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Darko Churlinov terminated his contract with Kocaelispor. (Kocaelispor announced the termination of Darko Churlinov’s contract.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The failed transfer was due to disagreements over agent fees and/or Churlinov’s dissatisfaction with the medical testing process. (Media reports cited financial negotiations and concerns about test professionalism as reasons for the breakdown.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Darko Churlinov was expected to sign with Widzew Łódź. (Polish media reported that Widzew Łódź had been negotiating a contract with Churlinov.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Darko Churlinov signed a two‑year contract with Pogon Szczecin, wearing shirt number 21. (Pogon Szczecin announced the signing and the player’s squad number.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The move keeps Churlinov in Poland’s Ekstraklasa for the upcoming season. (Pogon Szczecin’s announcement noted that the player will compete in the Ekstraklasa.)