Former Qarabağ goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski has once again explained the reasons behind his unexpected move to Krakow-based Wieczysta. This time, the 26-year-old footballer addressed aspects of his personal life in Azerbaijan, claiming that local religious and cultural customs prevented him from living with his fiancée.
As reported by İdman.Biz, in an interview with Polish outlet Przegląd Sportowy Onet, the goalkeeper revealed that while he was playing for Qarabağ, his partner continued her studies in Poland and could only visit Baku once every one or two months, staying for a few days at a time.
"My fiancée visited me once every month or two. She was studying in Poland and couldn't stay for more than a few days. We are not officially married, so because of the religious and cultural customs there, we wouldn't have been able to live together," Kochalski said.
However, this explanation raises questions. First and foremost, it should be emphasized that this is the Polish footballer's personal claim. Azerbaijani legislation does not prohibit unmarried adult men and women from living together. Therefore, portraying such arrangements as legally unacceptable in the country would be incorrect.
Kochalski did not clarify whether he had encountered any specific restrictions when looking for accommodation or whether his comments merely reflected his own perception of local traditions. Certain practical circumstances may have influenced his situation, but there is no basis for suggesting that living together was impossible specifically because of religious regulations.
Interestingly, the goalkeeper also identified his inability to bring his beloved dog to Azerbaijan as another difficulty.
"Over two years, I never managed to find a way to bring my dog, to whom I am very attached," the footballer explained.
Thus, among the reasons for leaving a club that had given him the opportunity to compete at the highest level of European football, Kochalski highlighted not only professional considerations but also family and everyday-life circumstances.
It is worth recalling that the goalkeeper's decision to leave Qarabağ for Wieczysta, a club competing in Poland's second-tier division, had previously attracted criticism in his homeland. Former Poland and Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek openly questioned the move.
"A footballer who should have been fighting for a transfer to a top European club chose comfort and a move to Wieczysta, and as a bonus, he even received a call-up to the Polish national team," Dudek said at the time.
Against the backdrop of such criticism, Kochalski's repeated explanations, including references to religious customs and everyday difficulties, could be interpreted as an attempt to justify a controversial career decision in the eyes of the Polish football community.
Kochalski himself acknowledged that Qarabağ had tried to keep him by offering a new contract on highly favorable financial terms. However, the Polish goalkeeper declined the extension because he feared losing his place in the starting lineup following the arrival of Bosnian goalkeeper Martin Zlomislić.
According to Kochalski, the Azerbaijani club initially demanded €2.5 million for his transfer, complicating negotiations with Wieczysta. The parties eventually reached an agreement after the goalkeeper made it clear that he wanted regular playing time and was unwilling to accept the prospect of sitting on the bench.
Kochalski also revealed that, besides Wieczysta, he had received offers from Bulgarian club Ludogorets and a team from the United Arab Emirates. However, he preferred the Polish league to the Bulgarian championship and believes a move to the Middle East would only make sense towards the end of his career.
The goalkeeper confirmed that Widzew Łódź had shown interest in signing him during the winter transfer window, but Qarabağ refused to let him leave because of their Champions League campaign. Meanwhile, he dismissed reports of an offer from Borussia Dortmund as untrue.
Despite the circumstances surrounding his departure, Kochalski spoke positively about his time at Qarabağ. He particularly remembered the victories over Benfica, Copenhagen and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Regarding the heavy defeats against Liverpool and Newcastle United, the Polish goalkeeper acknowledged that those opponents were several levels above Qarabağ, while emphasizing that the matches had provided him with valuable experience.
Kochalski joined Qarabağ in the summer of 2024 and left the club in September 2026, having made 76 appearances for the Azerbaijani champions. During his time with the Aghdam-based side, he won the domestic league title and gained experience competing in the UEFA Champions League.
