WARSAW, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Poland's hitter Mariusz Wlazly, who led his country to the volleyball world championship title in 2014, announed on Sunday that he will leave PGE Skra Belchatow at the end of the current season.
"I'm sure this is my last season at PGE Skra. It's a pity that I leave the club in such circumstances, but the situation is difficult. To be honest, PGE Skra's management has been looking for someone to replace me for several seasons," Wlazly told Polish television.
The 36-year-old announced that he will continue his career in Poland. "I will stay here. I have already negotiated with a new club, and both sides have already accepted contract terms," he added.
Skra president Konrad Piechocki criticized the player. "I am surprised that this information has been unveiled by Wlazly in such circumstances. It's not right to be announcing such things at such a difficult time, as each of us is focused on the global fight against the coronavirus outbreak," he said.
"When we agreed the terms of the new contract last season, we pre-agreed that this may be the last season, after which Mariusz would end his career. Wlazly did not tell us about his desire to extend his contract, so we decided that this season would indeed be his last. We wanted to say goodbye to him by giving him a great party at the end of his excellent career," concluded the president.
Wlazly is one of Poland's most titled players. In 2006 he took a World Cup silver medal in Japan, and six years ago he led the Polish team to gold on home soil.
Domestically, Wlazly has played for Skra since 2003, and won nine Polish league titles. He also took two bronze medals and a silver in the CEV Champions League.
