Jacek Ziober, the Polish winger who earned 46 caps for the national team and played for clubs including ŁKS Łódź, Montpellier HSC, and Osasuna, died after a serious illness at the age of 60, Eurosport Polska reported on Tuesday, citing Jacek Bogusiak, the tradition custodian at ŁKS Łódź. Bogusiak confirmed that the former player passed away in the morning hours following a prolonged health battle.
Łódź Upbringing and Early Rise at ŁKS
Born on November 18, 1965, in Łodzi, Ziober emerged as a product of the ŁKS youth academy, according to biographical details outlined by Eurosport Polska and Polskie Radio. He made his senior debut in Poland’s top flight before turning 17. Across eight seasons at the club’s stadium on Aleja Unii, he became a central figure for supporters, making over 200 league appearances and scoring 26 goals.
Piotr Czachowski, a former international teammate, recalled Ziober’s explosive natural abilities in an interview with Polskie Radio. He played phenomenally,
Czachowski said. He stood out with speed and technique. Never standing still, always playing at full throttle. He didn’t learn that, he was born that way.
Czachowski added that Ziober possessed a unique magnetism for spectators, noting that supporters routinely bought tickets to ŁKS matches specifically to watch him play.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2026/10/06/image-a6925e61-07d0-4195-95b7-8adbc73ed135-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Photo: Eurosport Polska")
International Career Highlights and Kazimierz Górski’s Challenge
Ziober represented Poland from 1988 through 1993, scoring eight goals in his 46 international appearances. Though the national team failed to qualify for a major tournament during his tenure, several matches left a lasting mark on Polish football history. In a January 2015 interview with Łączy Nas Piłka, Ziober pointed to a 1–1 draw against Belgium in Brussels in June 1990 as his finest performance in the white-and-red shirt.
Eurosport Polska and Polskie Radio noted another decisive moment from World Cup qualifying against Albania in November 1989. Ziober recalled that Kazimierz Górski, the legendary former coach who was then president of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), entered the dressing room at halftime and directly challenged him: And you, Mr. Ziober, when are you finally going to score a goal for our squad?
Ziober answered on the pitch in the 83rd minute, scoring the decisive goal in a 2–1 victory.
French Success in Montpellier and Spanish Stints in Pamplona
In 1990, Ziober left ŁKS to join French side Montpellier HSC, where he established himself as a key contributor. Sport.pl noted that Montpellier paid tribute to the former forward, stating that he made 110 appearances and scored 22 goals for the club. During his three-year tenure in the south of France, Ziober won the French League Cup in the 1991–92 season, marking his lone major team trophy in professional football.
Ghislain Printant, a member of the Montpellier coaching staff, shared memories with French outlet L’Equipe, cited by Sport.pl: What a sad news. So many memories… Our European adventure: Eindhoven, Bucharest, Manchester. Your kindness and quick adaptation under Henryk Kasperczak. Rest in peace, Jacek.
In the summer of 1993, Ziober moved to Spanish club Osasuna, where he spent three seasons. Spanish sports daily AS, cited by Sport.pl, highlighted his impact in Pamplona, noting that his long hair and distinctive mustache accompanied a prolific debut campaign in which he scored 10 goals to finish as the club’s top scorer. Atletico Osasuna issued a formal statement expressing deep sorrow over his death and offering condolences to his family and former teammates.
Post-Playing Career and Tributes From Former Teammates
Following his playing days—which also included spells with Polish club Amica Wronki and American side Tampa Bay Mutiny, where a serious knee injury cut short his time in the United States—Ziober transitioned to coaching and media work. Eurosport Polska reported that he served as head coach of the Poland national beach soccer team and managed lower-division clubs while working as a television and radio pundit.
Roman Kosecki, Ziober’s long-time roommate and partner on the national team flanks, shared emotional recollections with Sport Fakt. We were like brothers,
Kosecki said, recalling conversations held two to three months prior regarding Ziober’s health. Kosecki praised his former teammate’s exceptional one-on-one ability and drive toward the goal. He had an amazing surge toward the goal. He could decide the outcome of a match with an individual action. His combativeness and tenacity were truly enormous.
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