Arka Gdynia has bid farewell to one of its best players, Luke Barrett, who is leaving for Portuguese side Benfica Lisbon.

What happened?

Luke Barrett joined Arka Gdynia in the 2026/27 season and quickly became one of the team's leaders. His form was phenomenal, especially in the first round of the playoffs, where the yellow-blues turned the series around and triumphed over favored Śląsk Wrocław 3:2. Barrett scored 15, 13, 25, 22, and 16 points in subsequent games.

Why is this important for Arka Gdynia?

AMW Arka Gdynia president, Bartłomiej Wołoszyn, said that Luke Barrett received a contract offer with a significant, over 100% raise. However, the player has an offer to play in the German league, which Arka Gdynia cannot match.

What's next?

Arka Gdynia is currently 17th in Ekstraklasa, with 36 points, 9 wins, 9 draws, and 16 losses in 34 games, with a goal difference of -27. Their last game was a 0:3 loss to Raków Częstochowa on May 23, 2026. It's hard to say how Arka Gdynia will do without Luke Barrett, but one thing is certain - the 2026/27 season will be very tough for the yellow-blues.