Spain’s Barcelona-born full-back Marc Navarro has charted a path that few expected. A product of the youth ranks at RCD Espanyol (after spells with Badalona and the Barcelona academy), he made his La Liga debut in January 2017 and even found the net in back-to-back matches for the first team.

His next move took him to Watford F.C. in 2018, followed by a loan spell at CD Leganés and later a stint in the United States with El Paso Locomotive FC. In March 2024, Navarro landed in Poland with Arka Gdynia, bringing his international experience and defensive versatility to the ambitious I Liga side.

Now, settled on the Baltic coast, he’s ready to share his story — from Barcelona to Gdynia — and what it’s really like to play in the fast-growing world of Polish football.

1. Marc, you’ve been in Poland for a while now — how are you finding life in the Ekstraklasa and in Gdynia?

Honestly, I’m really happy here in Poland. I’m enjoying life in the city of Gdynia — I think it’s a very beautiful place. And besides that, I’m really liking the league and football in Poland. I believe the league is growing a lot and it’s very professional. The atmosphere, the stadiums, and the level of football here are all very high, and I’m truly enjoying the experience.

 2. Many Spanish players say Polish football is very physical. Do you agree? What has surprised you the most about the league?

Yes, it’s true that this is a league with a lot of individual duels. I also think it’s a league that demands a lot from you physically. The matches are very intense, and you have to cover a lot of distance and play at very high intensity. What has surprised me the most about the league is the stadiums, the fans, and the overall level of football here in Poland.

3. Arka Gdynia has had an interesting start to the season. How do you see the team right now, and what do you think can improve?

Obviously, we would have liked to start better and be higher up in the table, but it’s not an easy league, and sometimes getting the three points is really difficult. Even so, we’re only five points above the relegation zone, and everything is very tight. I think we can still improve, especially in our away games, because at home we’ve been a tough team and have been performing well. So, our main goal for the rest of the season is to improve the team’s image away from home and start earning those three points. 

4. Your coach, Dawid Szwarga, is young but very methodical. What’s it like to work with him day to day?

In my opinion, he’s a great coach with a very bright future ahead of him. He’s still young, but already coaching at a very high level. What I like most is that he really helps you improve as a player — not only by working on the team’s tactical side, but also by giving you a lot of individual feedback and advice to help you grow. He’s a coach I really enjoy working with; he’s given me confidence since the moment he arrived, and I feel very comfortable and happy playing for him.

5. You’ve played for clubs like Espanyol and in very competitive leagues. What differences do you see between the Ekstraklasa and Spanish football? 

I feel very fortunate to have played in leagues like La Liga and the Premier League — it was a great experience that helped me grow as a player. I think the main difference between those leagues and others comes down to the players. Economically, the clubs there are much stronger and can attract the best players in the world. But I also believe that in Poland’s top division — in terms of stadiums, fans, and club organization — there isn’t such a big gap in some aspects. As I mentioned before, the Polish league is improving a lot, and I’m sure its potential will keep growing over the next few years.

 6. Who’s the best player you’ve shared a locker room with?

I’ve been lucky to share the dressing room with some great players, but if I had to choose one, it would be Gerard Deulofeu. He’s a player with incredible quality who can really make a difference, and his career speaks for itself. Right now, he’s been dealing with a very difficult knee injury and is working hard to recover. I really hope he can come back, because he’s a friend of mine and I wish him all the best. I’d love to see him show his football again — he’s an amazing player.

7. And in Poland? Which player in the Ekstraklasa has impressed you the most since you arrived?

I think there are a lot of very good players in the Polish league as well. But the ones who have impressed me the most are the winger Capita — he’s a great player, very fast and technically skilled, and I think he has a bright future ahead of him. I’d also mention Jesús Imaz from Jagiellonia, another Spanish player who’s doing really well here. It’s nice to see Spanish players succeeding in Poland and showing their quality in this league.

 8. If you had to choose one Polish player who could become a big international star, who would it be?

Filip Kocaba is a player who was with us last year. He’s very young and is now playing for Zagłębie Lubin. He’s a good player with a lot of talent and a very bright future ahead of him

9. Outside of football, what do you like most about living in Poland? Do you already have a favorite Polish dish?

I think Gdynia is a very beautiful city, one of the nicest places I’ve seen in Poland. I like it a lot because my family is also very happy here. I enjoy being able to walk near the sea, and I also like that it’s a city where you feel safe. As for Polish food, I really like the local soups — there are many kinds — but my favorite is the tomato soup. And I also enjoy pierogi.

10. And finally, what message would you send to Arka Gdynia fans and those following the Ekstraklasa from abroad?

To the fans, I’d like to say: keep trusting the team. This is the moment for all of us to stay united and fight together to reach our goals. Thank you as well for the incredible support you always give us — you come to the stadium and cheer for us every game, and that’s something I really appreciate. And to people from outside Poland, I’d say: start following the Polish league, because I think it has a great present and an even bigger future ahead.