Motor Lublin have completed the signing of winger Rony Lopes. The former Manchester City and England champion joins the Ekstraklasa club on a free transfer, putting pen to paper on a contract that runs until June 2028.
The transfer was first reported by WP SportoweFakty. Lopes, a 30-year-old offensive player, was most recently with Portuguese side CD Tondela, where he played from March to June under coach Gonçalo Feio. Last season he featured in 18 matches, scoring four goals and providing two assists. For Motor, who sit 15th in the table with five points from six games, bolstering the attack is a key objective. The team has scored only six goals so far and has a -4 goal difference.
Who is Motor Lublin's new signing?
Rony Lopes is a product of the SL Benfica academy who built his career in Europe's top leagues. His biggest achievement is the Premier League title won with Manchester City in the 2013/2014 season. He has since played for clubs such as Sevilla FC, LOSC Lille, Olympiakos Pireus, and AS Monaco. His experience in the Champions League and Europa League could prove invaluable for Motor's relatively young squad. His versatility allows him to operate on either wing or as an attacking midfielder, giving coach Mariusz Misiura more tactical options.
What is the club's transfer strategy?
The acquisition of Lopes continues Motor Lublin's established transfer policy. The club has specialised in securing valuable players without paying transfer fees. The Portuguese winger is the seventh player to join the team this way in the current transfer window. This approach allows the sporting management to shape the squad flexibly and invest resources in other areas, such as salaries or infrastructure. The current state of the roster can be tracked on our squad page.
What challenges does Motor face?
Adding an experienced player like Lopes is meant to help the team improve its difficult league situation. Motor has recorded just one win, two draws, and three losses, with their recent form reading LDWLL. They trail league leaders Legia Warszawa by seven points. The next test will be a home match against Widzew Łódź, scheduled for December 12, 2026. Ahead of that fixture, it's worth checking the updated fixtures and standings.
Where can Lopes make the biggest impact?
The Portuguese winger will bring quality to the final third above all else. His four goals and two assists last season demonstrate his ability to both finish moves himself and create chances for teammates. His technical skills and vision could revitalise Motor's attack, which has lacked effectiveness so far. The contract signed until the summer of 2028 indicates the club sees him as an important part of the project for the coming years. Motor's next fixture is against Widzew Łódź on December 12.
