American investor dies in Krakow before deal with football club
Thomas Kokoszynski, an American businessman of Polish descent, died in Kraków after an accident at a restaurant — just days before investing his first million dollars into the legendary Wisła football club.
Photo: Piotr Drabik, CC BY 2.0
42-year-old Thomas Kokoszynski arrived in Kraków with ambitious plans — he intended to invest in the local football club Wisła, which is facing a financial crisis. This was announced by Jarosław Królewski on his Instagram page.
The deal was worth 5 million dollars, and the first million was scheduled to be transferred within days. However, tragedy struck.
On the evening of June 4, during dinner at a local restaurant, Kokoszynski choked on a pierogi and lost consciousness.
He was urgently hospitalized in critical condition, placed on a ventilator, but passed away six days later, on June 10. Doctors confirmed irreversible brain damage.
Kokoszynski lived in the United States and headed the company Metalogic Industries. He was passionate about Polish football and fell in love with Wisła Kraków.
“He was with us everywhere — at home and away games. He dreamed of bringing the club back to the Ekstraklasa,” said Wisła president Jarosław Królewski.
According to him, Thomas had a large family who are now mourning a great loss. The rescue deal for the club has collapsed, but Królewski said the memory of the businessman will remain forever.
Earlier it was reported that Kylian Mbappé filed lawsuits against Paris Saint-Germain, demanding 55 million euros in unpaid wages. He managed to freeze the club’s accounts and threatened to involve UEFA if the year-long dispute is not resolved.