Brighton sign young Polish pair Michael Karbownik and Jakub Moder with loan-back agreements

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Brighton have signed Polish pair Jakub Moder and Michael Karbownik from Lech Posnan and Legia Warsaw respectively, and will loan them back to their Ekstraklasa clubs for the 2020-21 season.

Moder, 21, is an imposing central midfielder who came through the youth ranks at Lech before establishing himself in the first team last season, helping them reach the upcoming Europa League group stage, where they will play Rangers. He also broke into the Polish national team last month, winning his first cap in a 1-0 defeat by Netherlands.

Moder has signed a five-year contract at the Amex, subject to international clearance.

Brighton’s technical director, Dan Ashworth, said: “Jakub is an exciting young central midfielder, who has already broken through into the Poland national squad at the age of 21. He is athletic, strong and good with both feet. 

He is very highly thought of within the national set up, and we did consider bringing him over straight away. However, the loan back to Poznan suits Jakub and us for now – as he will play regularly both domestically and in the group phase of the Europa League – and at this stage that is better for his development.”

Similarly the 19-year-old Karbownik, who has signed a four-year contract, came through the youth setup at Legia Warsaw before breaking into the first team last season. 

Ashworth said: “Michal is another exciting young player, who we are pleased to welcome to the club. He is flexible in terms of position; he can play on the right or left side, at full-back or wing-back, and in midfield.

“He helped Legia win the Polish league last season, as a regular in the team as a teenager. At this stage, we feel it is right for his development that he stays in Warsaw with Legia, where he will continue to play regular senior football.

“Like all our players out with other clubs, our loans department will monitor his progress and development over the season ahead.”