Mateusz_Kowalczyk_(footballer)

Mateusz Kowalczyk (footballer)

Mateusz Kowalczyk (footballer)

Polish footballer (born 2004)

Mateusz Kowalczyk (born 16 April 2004) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Danish Superliga club Brøndby.

Quick Facts Personal information, Date of birth ...

Club career

ŁKS Łódź

Born in Warsaw and raised in nearby Marki, Kowalczyk began his football journey at the age of six with Ząbkovia Ząbki.[2] Displaying remarkable maturity at a young age, he took his first steps in senior football at the age of 14 with Ząbkovia.[2] His talent quickly attracted the interest of several Polish clubs.[3] Ultimately, in 2021, he chose to sign with ŁKS Łódź. The club's second team competed in the fourth tier, providing Kowalczyk with an opportunity to develop against senior opposition at a higher level.[3] He made his second-team debut on 7 August 2021, starting in a 4–3 victory against Ursus Warsaw.[4]

Kowalczyk made his professional debut for the ŁKS first team on 26 February 2022, coming on as a substitute for Jakub Tosik in the 65th minute during a 1–1 away draw against GKS Jastrzębie in the second-tier I liga.[5] On 8 April 2021, he scored his first professional goal, securing a late winner in the 95th minute of a 3–2 home win over Sandecja Nowy Sącz.[6]

During the 2022–23 season, Kowalczyk played a significant role in ŁKS' promotion to the top-tier Ekstraklasa, scoring six goals in 26 appearances for the Knights of Spring—including a decisive goal that secured the league title on 26 May 2023, against Arka Gdynia.[1][7]

Brøndby

On 2 August 2023, Kowalczyk signed a four-year contract with Danish Superliga club Brøndby, with the club paying a reported fee of €1.2 million to secure his services.[8][9] He made his debut for the club on 27 September, replacing Nicolai Vallys in the 68th minute of a 3–0 victory in the Danish Cup over HIK.[10] Four days later, he made his Superliga debut, again coming on as a late substitute for Vallys in a victory against Hvidovre.[11]

International career

Kowalczyk has represented Poland at under-18 level.[12] In August 2022, he was called up to by Poland U-19's coach Marcin Brosz for training camp in Reda ahead of the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia and Italy.[13] He scored on his debut for the under-19s, contributing to Poland's 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on 21 September 2022.[14] On 28 August 2023, Kowalczyk received his first call-up for the Poland U-20, and he subsequently gained his first cap for the team on 8 September during a 4–0 home win over Portugal in the Under 20 Elite League.[15][16]

Style of play

Kowalczyk, a hard-working central midfielder, displayed remarkable maturity on the pitch early on, making his senior football debut at the young age of 14.[3] He describes himself as a player capable of controlling the game's pace, comfortable both in attacking and defensive roles. Despite his average height (1.81 m), he possesses excellent heading abilities.[17] Often referred to as a 'piranha' in midfield, he excels in dispossessing opponents and is adept at playing a Gegenpressing style.[18]

Career statistics

As of match played 1 October 2023[1]
More information Club, Season ...
  1. Includes Polish Cup, Danish Cup

Honours

ŁKS Łódź

References

  1. [1]
    Mateusz Kowalczyk at Soccerway
  2. [2]
    Łodko, Bartosz (9 April 2023). "Pierwszy trener: Mateusz Kowalczyk". Weszlo! Junior (in Polish). Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  3. [3]
    Walczyk, Jerzy (4 October 2022). "Czołowy piłkarz ŁKS-u na sprzedaż. Ile jest wart Mateusz Kowalczyk?". Gazeta Wyborcza (in Polish). Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  4. [4]
    "Zwycięstwo na inaugurację. ŁKS II – Ursus Warszawa 4:3". ŁKS Łódź (in Polish). 7 August 2021. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  5. [5]
    "Jastrzębie vs. ŁKS Łódź 1–1: Summary". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  6. [6]
    "ŁKS Łódź vs. Sandecja Nowy Sącz 3–2: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  7. [7]
    "Kibice i pilkarze ŁKS Łódź świętują awans do Ekstraklasy! [ZDJĘCIA]". Łódź.pl (in Polish). 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  8. [8]
    "Brøndby IF henter Mateusz Kowalczyk". Brøndby IF (Press release) (in Danish). 2 August 2023. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  9. [9]
    Wøhlk, Alexander (2 August 2023). "Brøndby opruster: Henter Mateusz Kowalczyk". Ekstra Bladet (in Danish). Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  10. [10]
    "Sikker sejr i Oddset Pokalen". Brøndby IF (in Danish). 27 September 2023. Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  11. [11]
    "Hvidovre vs. Brøndby 0–3: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  12. [12]
    "Mateusz Kowalczyk z kolejnym powołaniem na konsultacje kadry U-18". ŁKS Łódź (in Polish). 29 April 2022. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  13. [13]
    "Mateusz Kowalczyk powołany do reprezentacji Polski U-19". ŁKS Łódź (in Polish). 18 August 2022. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  14. [14]
    Ptak, Jakub (21 September 2022). "Ważne zwycięstwo Polaków. Udany start eliminacji". TVP Sport (in Polish). Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  15. [15]
    "U-20: Powołania na mecze z Portugalią i Niemcami - Reprezentacja młodzieżowa U-20". PZPN (in Polish). 28 August 2023. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  16. [16]
    "Świetny start Polaków w turnieju Elite League. Portugalia rozbita - Reprezentacja młodzieżowa U-20". PZPN (in Polish). 8 September 2023. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  17. [17]
    Piotrowski, Remek (30 June 2021). "Mateusz Kowalczyk: Zawsze ze starszymi". ŁKS Łódź (in Polish). Archived from the original on 25 September 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  18. [18]
    Theilade, Toke (27 July 2023). "Eksperter om Kowalczyk: Talentfuld, arbejdsom og ambitiøs spiller". Vilfortpark.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
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