Skip to main content

Osman Bukari rejoins Red Star Belgrade on loan from Widzew Lodz

Osman Bukari spent two years playing at Red Star Belgrade before leaving for the MLS.
Osman Bukari spent two years playing at Red Star Belgrade before leaving for the MLS.Martin Rickett, PA Images / Alamy / Profimedia

Ghana winger Osman Bukari has completed a return to Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade, joining the Belgrade side on a one-year loan deal from Polish Ekstraklasa club Widzew Lodz, with an option to make the move permanent.

The transfer, confirmed by both clubs on Thursday, sees the 27-year-old reunite with the club where he enjoyed the most productive spell of his career, and provides Red Star with attacking reinforcement as they push for a return to the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Bukari originally joined Red Star from KAA Gent in June 2022 in a €3 million deal, following a season-long loan at French Ligue 1 side Nantes that included Coupe de France glory.

Across two seasons in the Serbian capital, the Accra-born winger scored 25 goals and produced 20 assists in 78 appearances, helping Red Star to back-to-back Serbian SuperLiga titles and two Serbian Cup triumphs.

He also enjoyed his most high-profile European performances in the same period, scoring memorable UEFA Champions League goals against both Manchester City and Young Boys of Switzerland in the 2023/24 group stage.

In May 2024, Bukari left Red Star to join Major League Soccer side Austin FC as a Designated Player in a deal reported at €7 million, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Texas-based club.

He registered 39 appearances, five goals, and six assists in his debut season in the MLS but struggled to sustain that form in his second campaign, prompting his eventual exit.

In December 2025, Bukari made a surprise return to European football with Widzew Lodz in Poland, joining the four-time Polish champions in a deal worth around €5.5 million - a fee reported as the most expensive in the history of the Ekstraklasa.

His time in Lodz, however, proved brief and underwhelming as he made just eight league appearances for the club before being sanctioned to leave on loan.

For Bukari, the move offers the chance to rebuild his form at the club where he first made his name in European football, and to play Champions League football again as Red Star navigate the qualifying rounds this summer.

Bukari has made 19 senior appearances for the Ghana national team, scoring three goals, including a memorable header against Portugal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Owuraku Ampofo
Owuraku AmpofoFlashscore

Chances are you’re about to lose.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au