The Jakub Kaminski transfer is an interesting one to look at and understand, as the Poland international moves from 1. FC Köln to SL Benfica for a fee of around €20 million.
However, what makes this move so unique is that his parent club, VfL Wolfsburg, sold him to 1. FC Köln following his successful loan in Cologne last season for around €5.5 million after his buy option was triggered.
Within the space of just over a month, Kaminski was on the move again, joining the Polish revolution in Portugal as SL Benfica won the race to sign the tricky winger.
Within the space of just over two months, the 24-year-old has been a part of three clubs, but now finds himself on board the Marco Silva project at Benfica.
With the new season approaching, will the Jakub Kaminski transfer see him become a star for a top European club or just another case of being a back-up option?
Jakub Kaminski Transfer: Fruitful Loan In Cologne
After an average season for VfL Wolfsburg in the 2024/25 season, Kaminski was sent out on loan to 1. FC Köln, a move that paid dividends for the player but not his parent club.
Thriving in his new environment, the 24-year-old scored three goals in his opening five matches for the team from Cologne, as the Billy Goats were flying high in the opening rounds of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season.
Throughout the rest of the season in the German top flight, Kaminski did not miss a single game for 1. FC Köln and only failed to play 90 minutes twice in 34 Bundesliga appearances.
Utilised in a variety of positions in the front line, the 24-year-old ended the campaign with seven goals and three assists, and placed third at the club in terms of goal contributions.
Playing the most minutes for an outfield player at the club (3,019 minutes), Kaminski earned himself a nice average rating of 7.11 for the 2025/26 season, the highest-rated player at 1. FC Köln.
After returning back to the German top flight following their disappointing relegation in 2023/24, Kaminski’s loan move to the Billy Goats helped them to a respectable 14th-place finish, three points above the drop zone.
His goal contributions and the belief from his manager made his spark return, paving the way for his confidence to go back to sky-high and for the Poland national team to call upon his services once more.
His most fruitful season since the 2021/22 campaign, the Jakub Kaminski transfer saga began as clubs all around Europe started sniffing around for his signature.
Jakub Kaminski Transfer: The Permanent Signing And Quick Departure
With Jakub Kaminski enjoying his best season in some time for the Billy Goats, the club decided to exercise their buy option and sign the winger permanently after a successful loan spell.
The two German sides agreed upon a €5.5 million transfer, as 1. FC Köln retained their Bundesliga status and their star winger, and the Wolves were relegated down to the 2. Bundesliga.
However, inside Kaminski’s new contract at the Cologne club, a release clause was placed, which was quickly pounced upon by Portuguese giants SL Benfica.
€20 million later, and the 24-year-old was an SL Benfica player.
A new project, a new dawn, and an exciting new chapter for the Polish winger, who would be competing in European competition for the first time since the 2020/21 season.
The Jakub Kaminski transfer does not come without its troubles, as competition for a place in the starting XI will be tough due to the amount of talent in the wide areas for SL Benfica.
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Jakub Kaminski Transfer: The Fight For A Starting Spot
The Jakub Kaminski transfer sees the 24-year-old join a squad that is glittering with young stars at SL Benfica and a side that managed to go the season undefeated, even though they inevitably finished third.
With Andreas Schjelderup and Gianluca Prestianni occupying the left and right midfielder positions last season, and enjoying successful campaigns, the Jakub Kaminski transfer won’t see him stroll into the starting XI.
Kaminski is likely to battle with Schjelderup for a starting place out of the two wide men already at Benfica due to his preference for playing on the left side; however, his versatility will allow him to battle with anyone for a starting XI spot in the front line.
Last season, SL Benfica lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Jose Mourinho, who is no longer the manager after taking charge of Real Madrid in the summer.
However, his successor, Marco Silva, favours playing with the same system, which may allow Kaminski to slot himself as the central attacking midfielder in place of the ageing Rafa Silva.
The 33-year-old is not getting any younger, and with the utilisation of younger talents in attack, Kaminski’s versatility may pave his way into the team.
The upcoming season will be an exciting one, as the Jakub Kaminski transfer will see the Polish star winger playing in a top European league and returning to a major European competition.
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