Artur Wichniarek
Encyclopedia
Artur Wichniarek (ˈartur vixˈɲarɛk, born 28 February 1977) is a Polish
footballer.
in 1992–93 season. The following season he made his Ekstraklasa debut, however, he was not able to secure a place in the starting eleven. In the spring of 1996 was loaned to Polish Second League
club Aluminium Konin
. Upon his return to his home club he managed to win the manager's confidence and in the following 1996–97 season he played 30 times, albeit scoring only four goals. In 1998, Wichniarek joined Widzew Łódź, where he played until 1999, appearing 57 times and scoring 28 goals altogether, most of them in the 1998–99 season.
directors, who brought him to Bielefeld
, where he impressed the fans, becoming the club's leading player and best striker. In 2001–02 season he won the title of 2. Bundesliga
top scorer, which earned him the nickname King Arthur
.
, in the beginning of 2006, with 44 appearances and four goals on his sheet, he moved back to Arminia Bielefeld
.
dominant players, scoring 33 goals in three seasons. Wichniarek was named the Bundesliga's Footballer of the Month in August 2008.
and turned back to sign a two year contract with his former club Hertha BSC. After the relegation of Hertha BSC, Wichniarek was released from his contract on 15 June 2010.
on 30 June 2010. His contract was terminated by Lech Poznań on 3 November 2010.
on 3 March 1999. The fixture was against Armenia
where the Poles won 1–0. Wichniarek was not among the manager's favorites and his occasional appearances were usually limited to friendlies. His first international goal was at the expense of the Czech Republic
national team on 28 April 1999. Altogether, he appeared in 16 international matches and four of his shots found their way into the opponents' net. His last significant cap was against Estonia
in Tallinn
, where he scored one of the two goals for the winners.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
footballer.
Early career in Poland
Wichniarek started his professional career at Lech PoznańLech Poznan
Lech Poznań is a Polish football club based in Poznań, Poland. The club is named after Lech, the legendary founder of Polish nation.The club was established in 1922 as Lutnia Dębiec, later changing its name several times. From 1933 until 1994, the club was closely linked to Polish State Railways...
in 1992–93 season. The following season he made his Ekstraklasa debut, however, he was not able to secure a place in the starting eleven. In the spring of 1996 was loaned to Polish Second League
Polish Second League
II Liga is a Polish football league that sits at the 3rd tier of the Polish football league system. Until the end of the 2007–08 season II Liga referred to a league at the 2nd tier, although this changed with the formation of the Ekstraklasa as the top level league in Poland...
club Aluminium Konin
Aluminium Konin
Avans Górnik Konin is a Polish football club based in Konin, Poland. The club currently competes in the Polish Fourth League.-Major achievements:*Polish Cup finalist *2nd place in Polish Second League - Famous players :...
. Upon his return to his home club he managed to win the manager's confidence and in the following 1996–97 season he played 30 times, albeit scoring only four goals. In 1998, Wichniarek joined Widzew Łódź, where he played until 1999, appearing 57 times and scoring 28 goals altogether, most of them in the 1998–99 season.
Arminia Bielefeld
His talent drew the attention of Arminia BielefeldArminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
directors, who brought him to Bielefeld
Bielefeld
Bielefeld is an independent city in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe Region in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a population of 323,000, it is also the most populous city in the Regierungsbezirk Detmold...
, where he impressed the fans, becoming the club's leading player and best striker. In 2001–02 season he won the title of 2. Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
top scorer, which earned him the nickname King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
.
Hertha BSC
Hertha BSC took notice and in 2003 he moved to Olympiastadion, however, he usually appeared only as a sub. After two seasons in BerlinBerlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, in the beginning of 2006, with 44 appearances and four goals on his sheet, he moved back to Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
.
Return to Bielefeld
He became one of Arminia'sArminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
dominant players, scoring 33 goals in three seasons. Wichniarek was named the Bundesliga's Footballer of the Month in August 2008.
Second stint at Hertha
On 3 July 2009, Wichniarek left the newly relegated Arminia BielefeldArminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
and turned back to sign a two year contract with his former club Hertha BSC. After the relegation of Hertha BSC, Wichniarek was released from his contract on 15 June 2010.
Return to Lech Poznań
He signed a one-year contract with first club Lech PoznańLech Poznan
Lech Poznań is a Polish football club based in Poznań, Poland. The club is named after Lech, the legendary founder of Polish nation.The club was established in 1922 as Lutnia Dębiec, later changing its name several times. From 1933 until 1994, the club was closely linked to Polish State Railways...
on 30 June 2010. His contract was terminated by Lech Poznań on 3 November 2010.
International career
Wichniarek made his first appearance for the Polish national teamPoland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
on 3 March 1999. The fixture was against Armenia
Armenia national football team
The Armenia national football team represents Armenia in association football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Armenia, the governing body for football in Armenia...
where the Poles won 1–0. Wichniarek was not among the manager's favorites and his occasional appearances were usually limited to friendlies. His first international goal was at the expense of the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
national team on 28 April 1999. Altogether, he appeared in 16 international matches and four of his shots found their way into the opponents' net. His last significant cap was against Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
in Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
, where he scored one of the two goals for the winners.