Widzew Lodz and Borussia Dortmund Launch Strategic Club Partnership.

Roger Hampel

Image: Widzew Lodz

Widzew Lodz has entered into a three-year partnership with Borussia Dortmund, creating a broad cooperation programme covering first-team football, youth development, coaching, scouting, infrastructure, marketing and commercial activity.

The agreement gives the Polish club direct access to Borussia Dortmund's academy expertise, including 60 days of on-site support from a BVB specialist in Lodz, academy training programmes in Dortmund and placements for Widzew coaches.

The partnership, supported by Widzew owner and president Robert Dobrzycki and real estate developer Panattoni, also includes a business component designed to strengthen Widzew's international network. Former Dortmund and Poland defender Lukasz Piszczek will serve as one of the project's ambassadors.

Three Pillars of the Widzew-Borussia Dortmund Partnership Widzew

The three-year agreement is structured around three main areas.

The first focuses on relations between the clubs at first-team level.

The second, and most detailed, covers Widzew's academy and youth development. Borussia Dortmund will share coaching knowledge and development practices while providing opportunities for Widzew players and staff to spend time within the German club's football environment.

The third pillar covers marketing and business development, including joint initiatives and opportunities for Widzew's sponsors and commercial partners to visit Borussia Dortmund matches.

For Widzew, the scope makes the agreement considerably broader than a conventional club-to-club marketing partnership.

BVB Expert to Spend 60 Days in Lodz

One of the most substantial elements is the direct involvement of Borussia Dortmund personnel in Widzew's academy operations. A BVB expert will spend a combined 60 days working on site in Lodz, supporting the development of Widzew's youth structures.

Widzew will also participate in Football Academy workshops, while specialist coaching sessions will be organised in both Lodz and Dortmund. The clubs plan further cooperation around scouting and infrastructure development, with Borussia Dortmund providing advisory support in both areas.

Widzew will additionally receive the right to organise a youth football tournament in Lodz in cooperation with BVB.

Young Players to Train at Borussia Dortmund

Selected Widzew academy players will travel to Germany for a week-long School of Excellence programme. The programme includes training in Dortmund, detailed talent diagnostics and exposure to the day-to-day operations of BVB's academy.

Participants will also use Borussia Dortmund's Footbonaut training technology, play a friendly against a BVB academy team and visit the club's stadium and museum, as well as the German Football Museum.

A broader group of Widzew players will participate in a separate week-long BVB International Academy Experience, which also includes training, sports diagnostics and access to Borussia Dortmund's first-team matches.

The structure gives Widzew players exposure to both the sporting methodology and infrastructure of one of Germany's largest football organisations.

Coaching Development Forms Another Part of the Agreement

The partnership extends to Widzew's coaching staff.

Three coaches will undertake week-long placements in Dortmund, working alongside Borussia Dortmund's academy and observing its daily training environment.

Additional coaching education will take place in Poland and Germany, creating a recurring knowledge-transfer component throughout the three-year term.

Christian Diercks, Managing Director of the Evonik BVB Academy, said:

“For us, such a partnership with Widzew Lodz is very valuable. We not only want to share our knowledge and experience, but also have the opportunity to exchange perspectives and discuss how football is developing in different countries.”

Diercks said BVB representatives would regularly visit Poland and that Widzew academy teams would have opportunities to travel to Dortmund for training and camps.

Commercial and Management Knowledge Also Included

Widzew's objectives extend beyond player development.

The club intends to use the relationship to gain experience across scouting, marketing, commercial operations and club management.

That makes the partnership particularly relevant to Widzew's wider development strategy as the club looks to strengthen its organisation and international connections.

The business component also creates opportunities for Widzew's existing sponsors and partners to engage with Borussia Dortmund through visits and activities connected with the Bundesliga club.

Robert Dobrzycki, Owner and President of Widzew Lodz, said:

“We want to develop and are consistently working to make Widzew a better-managed and stronger club. We also care about international development, which is why we establish cooperation with partners from whom we can draw knowledge and best practices.”

Dobrzycki identified scouting, marketing, commercial activity and management as areas in which Widzew expects to benefit from Borussia Dortmund's experience.

He added:

“The more valuable knowledge that comes to Widzew, the better for our development.”