Winter movements at Wisła

Forward planning
Champions Wisła Kraków are already building for the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League season with coach Dan Petrescu having agreed a deal that will bring Australian international defender Michael Twaite to the club from Romanian side FC National Bucuresti in the summer.

European ambitions
Former Chelsea FC player Petrescu is determined to earn Wisła a first-ever crack at the UEFA Champions League group stage, and he is on the lookout for new talent after extending the club's contract with Argentinian midfielder Mauro Cantoro, now believed to be the highest-paid player in Poland.

Surprise move
Meanwhile, MKS Cracovia SSA coach Wojciech Stawowy has earned the longest contract in Polish football after being offered a ten-year extension by the club's charismatic president Professor Janusz Flipiak in recognition of the excellent work he has done since joining in 2002.

Legia challenge
Despite a commitment to bringing in talented young players, Cracovia are still a long way off challenging Wisła for the title. The champions' main rivals remain Legia Warszawa, whose coach Dariusz Wdowczyk has further strengthened his squad with the signing of defender Edson from Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Merger imminent
Lech Poznan and Amica Sport are in an unusual position as they await the end of the season and a planned merger in the summer. With Lech experiencing a financial problems and the Amica corporation impressed by the 25,000 crowds at Lech games, the new KKS Lech will be a force to be reckoned with.

Korona ambition
That, however, will be little comfort to the current Lech side who have been forced to sell their best forward Krzysztof Gajtkowski to Korona Kielce. The latter side are continuing to bring in new talent as they hope to see European action at their new 15,000-capacity stadium next season.

Górnik for sale
At the bottom of the table, KP Polonia Warszawa look to be doomed but new coach Jan Zurek has not given up, and is currently casting an eye over around 50 potential signings. Meanwhile, Górnik Zabrze, currently up for sale at a price of less than €1m, have offered Ryszard Komornicki his first coaching job.