Former Poland international striker Jacek Ziober, who played for CA Osasuna during the 1990s, has died at the age of 60, as elmundo.es reported. His death on Tuesday was confirmed by the Pamplona-based club, while Montpellier — another of his former teams — reported that he passed away following a long illness.
Osasuna Issues Official Statement of Condolences
“El Club Atlético Osasuna lamenta el fallecimiento de Jacek Ziober, jugador rojillo entre 1993 y 1996, y quiere trasladar el pésame a sus familiares, seres queridos y excompañeros. Descanse en paz. Goian bego,” the club said in an official statement confirming the news.
Career Beginnings in Łódź and Move to France
Born in Poland, Ziober began his professional career with ŁKS Łódź, playing for his hometown club from 1982 to 1990. He then moved to France to join Montpellier, where he featured from 1990 until the summer of 1993, building the reputation as a hardworking forward that eventually brought him to Spanish football.
The 1993 Transfer to CA Osasuna
Ziober arrived at Osasuna ahead of the 1993–94 season, stepping directly into the Spanish top flight. In his debut campaign in La Liga, he established himself as the team’s primary offensive threat by scoring 10 goals. Despite his scoring output, those goals proved insufficient to keep the Navarrese side in the top division, and Osasuna suffered relegation to the Segunda División.
Final Seasons in Pamplona and International Career
Following the club’s relegation, Ziober remained in Pamplona for two more campaigns in the second tier. He contributed four goals in 24 league appearances during the 1994–95 season, but his playing time dropped significantly in the 1995–96 campaign, where persistent injuries limited him to just seven appearances and a single goal. On the international stage, Ziober represented the Poland national team 46 times, scoring eight goals during his career.
Keep reading
