Wojciech Szczęsny - A Detailed Overview
Introduction
Wojciech Szczęsny, born 18 April 1990, is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus and the Poland national team. After starting his club career at Legia Warsaw, Szczęsny has since then represented clubs at the highest level in England and Italy, and is now well-regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in Europe.
Early Life and Career
Szczesny was born in Warsaw and began his profession in soccer at the age of 16. He advanced through the youth system of Legia Warsaw, one of the top football clubs in Poland. In 2006, Arsenal scout Lukasz Kossut spotted Szczesny playing for Poland's U17 team when he was just 16 years old. Szczesny's agility and talent caught Kossut's attention and he recommended him to Arsenal.
Arsenal Stint
Szczesny moved to Arsenal in 2006 as a youth player. He then progressed through the ranks quickly. His professional debut came in a Football League cup match against West Bromwich Albion on 22 September 2009. Over six seasons at Arsenal, Szczesny made a total of 181 appearances for the club, despite being sidelined occasionally due to injury.
Loan to Brentford
In order to gain valuable playing time and experience, Szczesny was sent out on loan to Brentford for the latter part of the 2009-2010 season. His performances during his loan period were highly praised by the Brentford management team and fans. This experience proved crucial as it marked his rise to a more prominent spot upon his return to Arsenal.
Roma Loan Spell
Szczesny joined Italy's Roma on loan for the 2015-2016 season, after finding opportunities limited at Arsenal following the signing of Petr Cech. He spent two seasons at Roma, featuring regularly for them and gaining valuable experience of playing in the Serie A.
Move to Juventus
In 2017, he signed for Serie A club Juventus after a successful stint at Roma. He was initially signed as an understudy to legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. However, following Buffon's departure in 2018, Szczesny became the first-choice goalkeeper for Juventus.
Career at Juventus
Since his move to Juventus, Szczesny has proven to be an integral part of the team. He has won multiple Serie A titles with the club and has also been a crucial figure in their Champions League campaigns. He has consistently produced impressive performances, resulting in him being well-regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in Europe.
International Career
Szczesny made his debut for the Poland national team in 2009 and was part of the team's 2012 and 2016 UEFA European Championship squads. He was also a part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad. To date he has over 50 caps for his national team.
Playing Style and Recognition
Known for his agility, Szczesny is a strong shot-stopper. His command in the box and his positional awareness have been highlighted as some of his best attributes. His career at Juventus has helped him receive recognition as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. In 2019, he was awarded the Best Goalkeeper award in the Serie A.
Personal Life
Szczesny was born into a sporting family – his father, Maciej Szczesny, was also a professional goalkeeper and played for the Poland national team. Szczesny is married to Polish singer Marina Łuczenko-Szczęsna. The couple has two children together.
