First Interview | Tymoteusz Puchacz

Tymoteusz Puchacz has played in four different countries at the age of 25, but feels like adding a fifth is fulfilling a long-held ambition.  

Polish international Puchacz – “call me ‘Puszka’,” he says – played for three teams in his native country, including Lech Poznan. He moved on to Germany, with Union Berlin, Kaiserslautern and his current side Holstein Kiel, and has had loans in Turkey with Trabzonspor and in Greece with Panathinaikos.   

England, though, could be his ultimate destination. After arriving at Argyle on Thursday, on loan until the end of the season, he spoke to Argyle TV, saying: “For me, it's like a dream, because I’ve always wanted to play in English football.  

“Obviously, I was watching the Prem when I was a kid, but I also used to watch the Championship because my friends were playing there, both of them actually for Derby (Kamil József and Krystian Bielik).  

“They said I'm going to handle it. It's the league for me, for the type of player I am. They love to play here, they said that this is a good choice and if I am thinking to go other ways, I should pick the Championship.” 

Argyle have been tracking the left-back, who has 15 caps for Poland, for some time. With the transfer window open, the Pilgrims made their move, and for Puchacz, it is nice to feel wanted.   

“The most important thing is to join a club that really wants me, and needs me,” he said. “I like to be needed, so that was the main thing. When I checked the club, the players, I watched some games and some highlights. I can tell that the club deserves to be higher. The players are very good. I'm looking forward to helping to get to a better position.   

“The best feeling a player can have is if a club really wants you. You can feel it and you can tell that there is a place for you. This is one of the best feelings in football, to be respected somewhere.” 

Members of the Green Army looking forward to seeing Puchacz in action will be wondering what sort of player they will see. The player was a little coy to begin with in describing his strengths, but gave a verbal glimpse into what we can all expect when he takes the field.   

“I don't like to speak about my qualities because it's better to show it, but I think I'm a physical player,” he said. “My statistics show that I'm crossing a lot. Last season I had a lot of assists, I can take also set-pieces, I like to dribble also. But I'm a defender first of all, so I need to defend.  

“I hope to bring my personality, which is high confidence. I’m a very talkative, happy person. I hope to bring some character, but the most important thing is to stay in the league.”