SL Benfica has agreed to sign Polish winger Jakub Kamiński from 1. FC Köln for €20 million, triggering a release clause in the player’s contract. The 24-year-old will join the Portuguese giants on a five-year deal, beating out interest from RB Leipzig and Brighton & Hove Albion.
The deal and why the clock was ticking
The release clause in Kamiński’s contract came with an expiration date: mid-July 2026. That built-in deadline created urgency for any club serious about signing him, and Benfica moved first.
Kamiński earned his price tag with a strong campaign last season, scoring seven goals and adding three assists across 34 Bundesliga appearances for Köln. The clause was reportedly inserted as part of Kamiński’s recent permanent move to Köln from VfL Wolfsburg.
Brighton and Leipzig both circled the deal, but neither pulled the trigger fast enough. Benfica locked it down as the European transfer window opened.
