Dawid Igor Kownacki (['david kɔvˈnat͡ski] ⓘ; born 14 March 1997) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a forward for German 2. Bundesliga club Hertha BSC, on loan from Werder Bremen. He has also played for the Poland national team. Besides Poland, he has played in Italy and Germany.

Club career

Lech Poznań

Kownacki in 2014
Kownacki during training with Lech Poznań

Having started out at local side GKP Gorzów Wielkopolski, Kownacki joined Lech Poznań in 2005, coming through the youth ranks and making it to the first team in December 2013. He scored his first Ekstraklasa goal in February 2014 in a 5–1 loss at Pogoń Szczecin, becoming one of only five players aged under 17 to have registered in Poland's top flight. He won his first league title the following season. In 2017 he commented: "At 16, people were calling me 'the new Lewandowski' which was tough to handle, but I changed my attitude, grew up and am now much better at not taking to heart what people say. Of course, I still have big dreams".

Sampdoria

On 11 July 2017, Kownacki signed a five-year contract with Italian side Sampdoria.

In November, he scored a brace and assisted another goal in Sampdoria's 4–1 Coppa Italia win against Delfino Pescara in the fourth round.

Fortuna Düsseldorf and loan to Lech Poznań

On 31 January 2019, Kownacki joined to German Bundesliga club Fortuna Düsseldorf on loan with an option to buy. On 30 June 2019, he rejoined Fortuna on another loan with an obligation to buy, which was fulfilled in January 2020.

On 2 February 2022, Kownacki returned to Lech Poznań on loan until the end of the season.

Werder Bremen

On 22 May 2023, Bundesliga club Werder Bremen announced the signing of Kownacki on a free transfer from Fortuna for the 2023–24 season.

He re-joined former club Fortuna Düsseldorf of the 2. Bundesliga for the 2024–25 season. Düsseldorf secured an option to sign him permanently.

On 21 July 2025, Kownacki returned to 2. Bundesliga on another loan, joining Hertha BSC.

International career

Kownacki with Poland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Kownacki represented Poland at various youth levels ranging from U16 until U21, earning 46 appearances and scoring 31 goals.[citation needed] He received his first call-up to the senior squad for matches against Georgia and Greece in June 2015. On 23 March 2018, Kownacki debuted in a friendly match against Nigeria, playing 72 minutes.

Kownacki was named in Poland's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and was considered back-up to Robert Lewandowski.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 28 September 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lech Poznań II2013–14III liga, gr. C6363
2014–15III liga, gr. C1111
2016–17III liga, gr. II1111
Total8585
Lech Poznań2013–14Ekstraklasa132132
2014–15Ekstraklasa3045231387
2015–16Ekstraklasa246405110347
2016–17Ekstraklasa27952003211
Total9421144821011727
Sampdoria2017–18Serie A22523248
2018–19Serie A13131162
Total356544010
Fortuna Düsseldorf2018–19Bundesliga10410114
2019–20Bundesliga20010210
2020–212. Bundesliga277277
2021–222. Bundesliga701181
2022–232. Bundesliga3214323516
Total96256310228
Lech Poznań (loan)2021–22Ekstraklasa14431175
Werder Bremen2023–24Bundesliga22000220
Fortuna Düsseldorf (loan)2024–252. Bundesliga2913002913
Hertha BSC (loan)2025–262. Bundesliga621072
Career total304762912821034290

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Poland201841
201920
202110
Total71

Scores and results list Poland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kownacki goal.

List of international goals scored by Dawid Kownacki
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
112 June 2018Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw, PolandLithuania3–04–0Friendly

Honours

Lech Poznań

Individual

  • Ekstraklasa Player of the Month: February 2017

External links