Karol Świderski

Karol Grzegorz Świderski (born 23 January 1997) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC and the Poland national team.

Karol Świderski

Świderski with PAOK in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Karol Grzegorz Świderski[1]
Date of birth	(1997-01-23) 23 January 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth	Rawicz, Poland
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Charlotte FC
Number	9
Youth career
2010–2012	Rawia Rawicz
2012–2014	UKS SMS Łódź
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2019	Jagiellonia Białystok	113	(20)
2019–2022	PAOK	96	(30)
2022–	Charlotte FC	71	(28)
2024	→ Hellas Verona (loan)	15	(2)
International career‡
2014–2015	Poland U18	5	(5)
2015	Poland U19	7	(5)
2016	Poland U20	3	(0)
2017–2019	Poland U21	11	(0)
2021–	Poland	37	(11)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 October 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 October 2024

Club career

Jagiellonia Białystok

Świderski began his career in the youth academy of Rawia Rawicz. From 2012 to 2014, he was in the sports school of UKS SMS Łódź. Then, in 2014, he went on to play for Ekstraklasa side Jagiellonia Białystok, playing at first in their III Liga team and their youth academy. He eventually started playing exclusively in their first team in the 2016–17 season.^[2]

Świderski was only 17 when he made his debut in the Ekstraklasa for Jagiellonia on 23 August 2014, in a 3–1 loss against Śląsk Wrocław.^[3] On 3 June 2015, in an away match, he scored his first professional goal against Pogoń Szczecin in the 80th minute, in a 3–1 win.^[4]

Świderski's UEFA debut came on 2 July 2015, where he scored and won the game for Jagiellonia in a 1–0 win against Kruoja Pakruojis.^[5] He also played in the reverse leg, which Jagiellonia won 8–0 and scored in the 4th minute.^[6]

PAOK

On 20 January 2019, PAOK FC confirmed the signing of Świderski, penning a 3.5-year contract with the Polish forward on a €2 million transfer fee.^[7] He debuted for the club on 27 January 2019, being subbed in the 81st minute for Omar El Kaddouri.^[8] On 30 January 2019, Świderski's first goal came in the 87th minute, after coming off the bench for Dimitris Limnios.^[9] On 18 February 2019, Świderski scored as a substitute in a 5–1 away win against Apollon Smyrni.^[10] On 10 March 2019, he scored in a 3–0 home win against Atromitos.^[11] On 21 April 2019, he scored the final goal in a 5–0 defeat of Levadiakos that confirmed PAOKs first league title for 34 years.^[12]

On 25 August 2019, he scored his first goal of the 2019–20 season with a header, opening the score, in a 2–1 home win game against Panetolikos,^[13] and a week later, he scored again in a 2–1 home win against Panionios.^[14] On 29 August, he scored after an assist from Rodrigo Soares as PAOK beat ŠK Slovan Bratislava in the second leg of their Europa League play-off tie but were eliminated on away goals after the score finished 3–3 on aggregate.^[15] On 29 September 2019, he scored both PAOK's goals in a 2–2 draw city rivals AEK Athens.^[16] On 4 January 2020, the Polish forward gleefully slotted home the rebound after Julián Cuesta clumsily spilled a shot from Dimitris Pelkas, to open the score in an away 4–2 loss against rivals Aris, as PAOK were finally beaten after 51 games in Superleague.^[17] On 19 January 2020, Swiderski finished clinically with a low shot on the turn to open the score in a 3–1 home win game against Asteras Tripoli.^[18] On 12 February 2020, Świderski received a wonderful pass from Dimitris Pelkas, and the Polish striker subsequently beat Sokratis Dioudis with a pinpoint attempt, helping reigning Greek Cup winners PAOK breezed through to the semi-finals of the Greek Cup, defeating Panathinaikos 1–0 in Athens to complete a 3–0 aggregate triumph.^[19]

On 4 October 2020, he scored a brace in the last 3 minutes of the game sealing a triumphiant 3–0 home win against OFI.^[20] On 31 January 2021, he scored a brace in a 5–0 home win against Panetolikos.

On 19 January 2022, PAOK accepted MLS club Charlotte FC's €5 million offer for Świderski. Świderski played in 28 matches this season, scoring 4 goals and 3 assists. In his last match with the club, the Polish international striker entered the game as a late substitute, in the derby Greek Cup game against AEK Athens.^[21][22]

Charlotte FC

On 26 January 2022, Charlotte FC announced the signing of Świderski from PAOK to a Designated Player contract through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. The 25-year-old Polish international will occupy an international roster slot on the club’s inaugural roster.^[23]

Loan to Hellas Verona

On 1 February 2024, Świderski went back to Europe to join Serie A club Hellas Verona on loan until the end of the year, with an option to make the move permanent.^[24] Following the season's end, Świderski returned to Charlotte in early July.^[25]

International career

U-18

Świderski was chosen in March 2015 by the Polish U-18 national team coach Rafał Janas to play in the LFF U-18 Federation Cup. He made his debut in the winner's match against Georgia, which Poland won 1–0.^[26] Świderski played again and scored his first goal in the 9th minute against Latvia, where they drew 1–1.^[27]

U-19

Świderski made his debut for the U-19 team on 5 September 2015 in a friendly against Wales, which ended in a 1–1 draw.^[28] He played two friendlies against Slovenia, scoring both the goals in the first match, which ended in a 2–2 draw.^[29] He was successful in the U-19 European Championship qualifier in Cyprus against Bulgaria, Cyprus and Luxembourg, scoring three goals.^[30][31]

Senior

On 15 March 2021, Świderski was called up for the first time to the national team to play in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.^[32][33] He debuted in said tournament against Andorra, coming as a substitute to Robert Lewandowski in the 63rd minute.^[34] He also scored his debut goal for his country in the same game in the 88th minute.^[35] He was later included in the Polish squads for the UEFA Euro 2020,^[36] 2022 FIFA World Cup,^[37] and UEFA Euro 2024.^[38]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 24 August 2024^[39]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup[lower-alpha 1]		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Jagiellonia Białystok	2014–15	Ekstraklasa	7	1	0	0	—		7	1
	2015–16	Ekstraklasa	31	4	1	1	4[lower-alpha 2]	2	36	7
	2016–17	Ekstraklasa	26	2	2	1	—		28	3
	2017–18	Ekstraklasa	32	5	1	0	1[lower-alpha 2]	0	34	5
	2018–19	Ekstraklasa	17	8	3	1	3[lower-alpha 2]	0	23	9
	Total		113	20	7	3	8	2	128	25
PAOK	2018–19	Super League Greece	11	4	4	2	—		15	6
	2019–20	Super League Greece	34	11	4	2	3[lower-alpha 3]	1	41	14
	2020–21	Super League Greece	35	11	5	0	9[lower-alpha 4]	0	49	11
	2021–22	Super League Greece	16	4	3	0	10[lower-alpha 5]	0	29	4
	Total		96	30	16	4	22	1	134	35
Charlotte FC	2022	Major League Soccer	30	10	0	0	—		30	10
	2023	Major League Soccer	32	12	3	1	5[lower-alpha 6]	2	40	15
	2024	Major League Soccer	2	2	0	0	2[lower-alpha 6]	0	4	2
	Total		64	24	3	1	7	2	74	27
Hellas Verona (loan)	2023–24	Serie A	15	2	—		—		15	2
Career total			288	76	26	8	37	5	351	89

1. Includes Polish Cup, Greek Cup, U.S. Open Cup
2. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
3. One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
4. Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League
5. Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
6. Appearances in Leagues Cup

International

As of match played 15 October 2024^[40]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Poland	2021	14	6
	2022	5	2
	2023	9	2
	2024	9	1
Total		37	11

Scores and results list Poland's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Karol Świderski

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	28 March 2021	Polish Army Stadium, Warsaw, Poland	1	Andorra	3–0	3–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2	8 June 2021	Poznań Stadium, Poznań, Poland	4	Iceland	2–2	2–2	Friendly
3	5 September 2021	San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino	9	San Marino	2–0	7–1	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
4	9 October 2021	National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland	11	San Marino	1–0	5–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
5	12 October 2021	Arena Kombëtare, Tirana, Albania	12	Albania	1–0	1–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
6	15 November 2021	National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland	14	Hungary	1–1	1–2	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
7	1 June 2022	Wrocław Stadium, Wrocław, Poland	15	Wales	2–1	2–1	2022–23 UEFA Nations League A
8	25 September 2022	Cardiff Stadium, Cardiff, Wales	17	Wales	1–0	1–0	2022–23 UEFA Nations League A
9	27 March 2023	National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland	21	Albania	1–0	1–0	UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
10	15 October 2023	National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland	26	Moldova	1–1	1–1	UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
11	10 June 2024	National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland	31	Turkey	1–0	2–1	Friendly

Honours

PAOK

• Super League Greece: 2018–19
• Greek Cup: 2018–19, 2020–21^[41]

Individual

• Ekstraklasa Young Player of the Month: November 2018^[42]

References

1. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Poland (POL)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 21. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
2. "Oficjalnie: Patryk Tuszyński i Karol Świderski piłkarzami Jagiellonii" (in Polish). gol24.pl. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
3. "T-Mobile Ekstraklasa: Jagiellonia 1-3 Śląsk" (in Polish). 90minut.pl. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
4. "T-Mobile Ekstraklasa: Pogoń 1-3 Jagiellonia. Jagiellonia w Lidze Europy" (in Polish). 90minut.pl. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
5. "Jagiellonia zwycięża w końcówce" (in Polish). 90minut.pl. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
6. "Pokruojeni" (in Polish). 90minut.pl. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
7. "Ο Σβιντέρσκι είναι καλύτερος από τον Πρίγιοβιτς του '17" (in Greek). www.contra.gr. 20 January 2019.
8. "Karol Świderski zadebiutował w greckiej ekstraklasie, a jego PAOK Saloniki wygrał" (in Polish). poranny.pl. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
9. "Karol Świderski strzelił gola, a PAOK Saloniki wygrał!" (in Polish). poranny.pl. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
10. "Απόλλων - ΠΑΟΚ 1-5: Καθάρισε σε 33' και καλπάζει για το πρωτάθλημα". www.sport24.gr. 18 February 2019.
11. "ΠΑΟΚ - Ατρόμητος 3-0: Ασταμάτητος για το αήττητο!" (in Greek). Sport 24. 10 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
12. Wood, Graham (21 April 2019). "Five-star PAOK crowned Super League champions". Agonasport. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
13. "ΠΑΟΚ - Παναιτωλικός 2-1: Έπαιξε όσο χρειαζόταν για το τρίποντο". www.sport24.gr. 25 August 2019.
14. "ΠΑΟΚ - Πανιώνιος 2-1: Αγχωτική νίκη με Σβιντέρσκι". www.sport24.gr. 1 September 2019.
15. "PAOK vs Slovan Bratislava 3-2". www.skysports.com. 29 August 2019.
16. "ΑΕΚ - ΠΑΟΚ 2-2: Η ντερμπάρα των Δικεφάλων δεν είχε νικητή". www.sport24.gr. 29 September 2019.
17. "Άρης - ΠΑΟΚ 4-2: Του έσπασε το αήττητο με τεσσάρα". www.sport24.gr. 4 January 2020.
18. "ΠΑΟΚ - Αστέρας 3-1: "Καθάρισε" o Δικέφαλος με την ποιότητά του". www.sport24.gr. 19 January 2020.
19. "Παναθηναϊκός - ΠΑΟΚ 0-1: Τον πλήγωσε ένα δικό του παιδί". www.sport24.gr. 12 February 2020.
20. "ΠΑΟΚ - ΟΦΗ 3-0: Επέστρεψε στις νίκες με τριάρα". www.sport24.gr. 4 October 2020.
21. "Liga grecka. Karol Świderski blisko zmiany zespołu. Ma grać w Stanach Zjednoczonych". sport.tvp.pl. 19 January 2022.
22. "ΠΑΟΚ: Αποχαιρέτησε ο Σβιντέρσκι, πάει στο MLS και τη Σάρλοτ". www.sport24.gr. 19 January 2022.
23. "Η Σάρλοτ ανακοίνωσε την απόκτηση του Σβιντέρσκι". www.sport24.gr. 26 January 2022.
24. "Welcome Karol Swiderski, new Yellow-Blue striker!". Hellas Verona. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
25. "Karol Swiderski Returns to Charlotte FC Following Loan to Hellas Verona". Charlotte FC. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
26. "Puchar Federacji LFF U-18: Polska 1-0 Gruzja" (in Polish). 90minut.pl. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
27. "Puchar Federacji LFF U-18: Łotwa 1-1 Polska" (in Polish). 90minut.pl. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
28. "U-19: Walia 1-1 Polska" (in Polish). 90minut.pl. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
29. "U-19: Polska 2-2 Słowenia" (in Polish). 90minut.pl. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
30. "Group 3". uefa.com. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
31. "U-19: Kadra na turniej eME" (in Polish). 90minut.pl. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
32. "Karol Świderski: wtedy i teraz szok był ogromny". Onet Sport (in Polish). Onet.pl. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
33. "Powołany przez Paulo Sousę Karol Świderski z asystą w meczu PAOK-u z Panathinaikosem". TVP Sport (in Polish). Telewizja Polska. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
34. "Polska - Andora. Karol Świderski: Na taką bramkę czeka się od dziecka". Polsat Sport. Polsat News. 28 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
35. "Polska – Andora. Karol Świderski czeka na szansę. Strzela i gra częściej niż Arkadiusz Milik oraz Krzysztof Piątek". TVP Sport (in Polish). Telewizja Polska. 28 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
36. "Paulo Sousa ogłosił powołania na UEFA EURO 2020" [Paulo Sousa announced appointments for UEFA Euro 2020]. Polish Football Association (in Polish). 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
37. "Czesław Michniewicz ogłosił kadrę na mundial w Katarze" [Czesław Michniewicz has announced the team for the World Cup in Qatar]. Polish Football Association (in Polish). 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
38. "Michał Probierz ogłosił kadrę na Euro 2024". Polish Football Association (in Polish). 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
39. "Karol Świderski statistics" (in Polish). 90minut. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
40. "K. Świderski". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
41. "Paok win Greek cup final over Olympiakos". Greek City Times. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
42. "Karol Świderski młodzieżowcem miesiąca. "Cieszę się, że jest... inaczej"". sport.tvp.pl (in Polish). 11 December 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2024.

External links

• Karol Świderski at Soccerway
• Karol Świderski at 90minut.pl (in Polish)