Tomasz Kuszczak

Tomasz Mirosław Kuszczak (; born 20 March 1982) is a Poland association footballer, who plays as a goalkeeper (association football) for England club side Manchester United F.C. and the Poland national football team.

Kuszczak has previously played for Śląsk Wrocław in Poland, as well as for the German clubs KFC Uerdingen 05 and Hertha BSC, before moving in 2004 to England's West Bromwich Albion F.C.. During the summer of 2006 Tomasz Kuszczak made the switch to Manchester United after a season of starting for West Brom in the Premiership.

Kuszczak made 14 appearances for the Poland national football team Under-21 side, and has been cap (sport) six times at senior level.

Club career

Hertha BSC

Born in Krosno Odrzańskie, Poland, Kuszczak joined Germany's Hertha BSC in 2000, spending a year with their reserve team before being promoted to the first team in 2001. Tomasz Kuszczak subsequently spent three seasons as the third-choice goalkeeper at the club, behind Gábor Király and Christian Fiedler, and failed to make a single appearance in the Fußball-Bundesliga. Tomasz Kuszczak was out of contract with Hertha when Tomasz Kuszczak was signed by the then-West Bromwich Albion F.C. manager Gary Megson on 14 July 2004.

West Bromwich Albion

Tomasz Kuszczak made Tomasz Kuszczak debut for West Bromwich Albion on 18 September 2004 in a Premier League match against Fulham F.C. at The Hawthorns, which ended in a 1–1 draw. Tomasz Kuszczak then played in a Football League Cup match against Colchester United F.C. on 21 September 2004, Albion losing 2–1.

Kuszczak had only kept goal in one match in the Premier League before West Brom's game against Manchester United on the penultimate match day of the FA Premier League 2004–05, with the Baggies facing a tough relegation battle. Tomasz Kuszczak put in a striking performance, having to step in front of the goal after the first choice keeper Russell Hoult was injured in the first half. West Brom drew the match 1–1, with Kuszczak remaining unbeaten during Tomasz Kuszczak 68 minutes on the pitch. This performance helped Kuszczak earn Tomasz Kuszczak first man of the match award in the Premier League. The following week, in the season's last match against Portsmouth F.C., Kuszczak had another impressive game, enabling West Brom to win 2–0, and hence stay up in the league.

In FA Premier League 2005–06, Kuszczak was supposed to be the reserve keeper behind Chris Kirkland. With Kirkland injured, Kuszczak kept goal in Tomasz Kuszczak first Premier League match of the season on 30 October 2005, but could not prevent Newcastle United F.C. from winning 3–0. Tomasz Kuszczak performances then improved, allowing Tomasz Kuszczak to become the first-choice keeper. This continued despite Kirkland's return from injury.

On 15 January 2006, Kuszczak had an impressive game against Wigan Athletic F.C., making a match-winning save late on from Jason Roberts (footballer), with West Brom winning the game 1–0. The save was voted Save of the Season by viewers of BBC TV's Match of the Day programme.

On 7 July 2006, it was confirmed by West Bromwich Albion manager Bryan Robson that Manchester United F.C. made a bid for Kuszczak of around £2 million. On 3 August, West Bromwich Albion rejected a £2.5 million bid for Kuszczak from Manchester United, citing that a one-year loan spell for United starlet Giuseppe Rossi would also have to be included along with the cash to result in a deal. On 10 August 2006, Kuszczak joined Manchester United F.C. in a deal involving the transfer of England Under-18 goalkeeper Luke Steele (footballer) and defender Paul McShane (Irish footballer) to West Brom.

Manchester United

When officially announcing the move, Manchester United failed to state the terms, leading to suggestions that it was a merely a loan deal. Chief executive David Gill (executive) has since clarified the situation: "Tomasz will be a Manchester United player for the next four years," Tomasz Kuszczak said. "Tomasz Kuszczak has come to us on loan for the first year, and then will join us permanently in July 2007. We would not have been interested in signing any player, even as one as good as Tomasz, on loan. We would hope Tomasz remains a Manchester United player for many years to come."

Kuszczak made Tomasz Kuszczak debut in a Premier League match against Arsenal F.C. on 17 September 2006, and Tomasz Kuszczak earned the Manchester United fans' respect when Tomasz Kuszczak saved an early Gilberto Silva penalty. Tomasz Kuszczak could not, however, save United from a 1–0 defeat, when Emmanuel Adebayor scored the late winner.

In Tomasz Kuszczak first start, against Crewe Alexandra F.C. in the Football League Cup, the name on the back of Tomasz Kuszczak goalkeeper shirt was spelled incorrectly; instead of "Kuszczak", Tomasz Kuszczak name had been spelled "Zuszczak."

Although Kuszczak didn't play enough Premiership games in the 2006–07 season, Tomasz Kuszczak received a winners medal by special application to the Premier League.

On 2 July 2007, Manchester United announced that the permanent transfer had been completed, for a fee of £2.125 million.

Due to Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar's continued good form and Ben Foster (footballer)'s knee injury, Kuszczak was named Manchester United's number 2 for the 2007–08 season. During an interview in May 2007 Kuszczak stated that Tomasz Kuszczak wanted one day to become the number 1 at Manchester United.

On 8 March 2008, in an FA Cup 2007–08 tie against Portsmouth F.C., Kuszczak received a straight red card for a foul on Milan Baroš. By this time all substitutes had been used, therefore Rio Ferdinand was forced to take over between the posts, but failed to stop the penalty that lead to United being knocked out of the FA Cup.

In September 2008, Kuszczak signed a two-year extension which will keep Tomasz Kuszczak at Old Trafford until 2012. However, after being overlooked in favour of Ben Foster for the 2009 Football League Cup Final, it appears as though Kuszczak might face problems in becoming United's new No.1 after van der Sar's retirement. In fact Kuszczak has of late expressed discontent with Tomasz Kuszczak situation at Manchester United and is considering Tomasz Kuszczak long-term future at the club.

International career

Kuszczak had also played two international matches by this time, Tomasz Kuszczak debut coming on 11 December 2003 against Malta national football team. Poland won the away game 4-0.

Due to Tomasz Kuszczak impressive performances for West Bromwich Albion F.C., although the club was ultimately relegated, Tomasz Kuszczak was called up to the 23-man Poland national football team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. However, in a World Cup warm-up match between Poland and Colombia national football team on 30 May 2006, Tomasz Kuszczak conceded a goal directly from a long punt by the opposition goalkeeper, Luís Enrique Martínez Rodríguez. Kuszczak subsequently ended up as Artur Boruc's back-up during the tournament and did not play.

In May 2008, Kuszczak was named in Poland's squad for UEFA Euro 2008, but was forced to drop out after picking up a back injury. Kuszczak was replaced by Wojciech Kowalewski. A lack of club football at Manchester United has also seen Tomasz Kuszczak slide down the pecking order for Tomasz Kuszczak country of late.