Mateusz Zukowski’s goalscoring exploits in the 2. Bundesliga is well-documented, as the 24-year-old full-back turned striker has had many people talk about his wild position change.
Position changes are natural in football, as we have seen many players transition from various positions on the pitch. A prime example is Gareth Bale, who started as a left-back and later transitioned to a winger/forward, playing for clubs like Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, and LAFC.
Mateusz Zukowski’s move to FC Magdeburg in September 2025 was a decisive one, as it saw him transition from full-back to striker.
Before his move to Germany, Zukowski had only managed 15 goals in his entire career; however, Mateusz Zukowski’s goalscoring exploits in the 2. Bundesliga saw him beat his career tally in the matter of a season.
Mateusz Zukowski’s Goalscoring Exploits: The Early Days
As a youngster, Zukowski progressed through the Lechia Gdansk Academy and made his debut for the club in December 2017, coming off the bench in an Ekstraklasa clash against Sandecja Nowy Sacz.
He made one further appearance in the 2017/18 season, against the same opponent in the reverse fixture at the end of the campaign, as he was deployed as a centre-forward, before coming off in the 52nd minute.
In the 2018/19 season, he didn’t get many chances either, making a few substitute appearances and playing from the start once, this time as a left-winger.
He was then loaned out to the 1. Liga to Chojniczanka Chojnice, playing a total of 12 times, and two times from minute one as a left-winger once again.
Over the next one-and-a-half seasons, Zukowski returned to Lechia and was used sparingly in the squad, making a total of 34 appearances across the two campaigns, but he did manage to net his first senior goal in the 2021/22 season, playing as a right-back.
What followed on deadline day of the 2021 January transfer window saw the Pole move to Scotland, as Rangers signed him as a future James Tavernier replacement.
Mateusz Zukowski’s Goalscoring Exploits: The Failed Rangers Transfer And Returning To The Ekstraklasa
Labelled as the future Tavernier, Zukowski came in with big expectations and the chance of spending his best years at one of the top clubs in the Scottish Premiership.
He made his first appearance for the club in the Scottish Cup against Annan Athletic, as Rangers won 3-0 and Zukowski played the full 90 minutes at right-back.
However, as the months went on, the Polish full-back spent more and more time on the bench, and by the end of the season, he didn’t even make a Scottish Premiership appearance.
Being dropped down to the reserve team saw Zukowski request a loan back to Poland, as he joined Lech Poznan on a season-long loan deal.
He only made three Ekstraklasa appearances for the Kolejorz that season, and he spent most of that campaign with the second team in the 2. Liga.
From a prospect that was signed by Rangers, he left the club in the summer of 2023 and returned to the Ekstraklasa permanently with Slask Wroclaw.
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Mateusz Zukowski’s Goalscoring Exploits: The Ekstraklasa Return
His next two seasons in Wroclaw took him on a real rollercoaster ride. He was once again getting consistent game time in the top-flight; however, the team’s performances on the pitch saw them struggling in his second season.
Looking at his first campaign, he made a total of 27 Ekstraklasa appearances, scoring once in a season that saw Slask finish second in the league.
With that being said, Mateusz Zukowski’s goalscoring exploits were first on display when he played for the second team, as he managed four goals in three matches, which included a hat-trick against Odra Bytom.
In his second season in Wroclaw, he was deployed everywhere on the pitch. From right-back to right-midfield and all along the front line, Zukowski managed to score two goals and get five assists in a Slask Wroclaw side that were relegated to the second-tier of Polish football.
After his highly impressive goal contributions tally of seven from the previous season, Germany came calling as he hopped over to the second division in Germany, and this is where his footballing career changed.
Mateusz Zukowski’s Goalscoring Exploits: FC Magdeburg’s Goalscoring Machine
Signing for the 2. Bundesliga outfit in September 2025 for around €250,000, the Polish full-back would have his footballing career altered in terms of his position.
Whilst he was absent for the first few matches of the season due to injury, Mateusz Zukowski’s goalscoring exploits got underway as soon as he was fit again.
Scoring a brace on his second appearance for the club, the Pole was deployed as a permanent number nine and continued to bang in goals at a rapid rate.
In his first 10 league appearances, he scored nine goals, which included his second-ever career hat-trick in a 5-4 win over relegation rivals Greuther Furth.
Zukowski would not stop scoring as he ended the season with 17 league goals and three assists from 21 matches, with an average of almost a goal contribution every game.
His side managed to stay up in the second tier, and next season, Zukowski will look to continue to increase his goal tally to fire him to a potential golden boot win.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / dts Nachrichtenagentur
Recording Date: 18.04.2026
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