Błażej Augustyn

Błażej Augustyn
Personal information
Full name Błażej Augustyn
Date of birth (1988-01-26) 26 January 1988
Place of birth Strzelin, Poland
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position Centre-back
Club information
Current team
 Heart of Midlothian
Number 4
Youth career
Strzelinianka Strzelin
2003–2004 Śląsk Wrocław
2004–2005 UKS SMS Łódź
2005–2006 Bolton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006–2007 Bolton Wanderers 0 (0)
2007–2009 Legia Warsaw 4 (0)
2008–2009 → Rimini (loan) 6 (0)
2009–2013 Catania 17 (0)
2011–2012 → Vicenza (loan) 26 (1)
2013–2015 Górnik Zabrze 22 (2)
2015– Heart of Midlothian 23 (0)
National team‡
2009–2010 Poland U-21 3 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 May 2016 (UTC).
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 5 January 2014

Błażej Augustyn (Polish pronunciation: [ˈbwaʐɛj au̯ˈɡustɨn]; born 26 January 1988 in Strzelin) is a Polish footballer who currently plays for Scottish club Heart of Midlothian.

Club career

Youth career

Augustyn began his youth career with SK Strzelinianka Strzelin in the late 1990s and remained with the amateur club until he transferred to Śląsk Wrocław in 2003. He remained with the youth system for just one season before transferring to UKS SMS Łódź in 2004. Following an impressive spell with the club's youth team, Augustyn made a transfer to the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers.

Bolton Wanderers

Augustyn officially signed for Bolton Wanderers midway through the 2005–06 season, and signed his first professional contract on 3 August 2006.[1] Augustyn then made his only appearance for the first team on 6 January 2007 as a substitute in an FA Cup 3rd round tie against Doncaster Rovers.[2] He was offered a contract extension by former Bolton manager Sammy Lee, but turned it down as his first team opportunities would be limited.[3]

Legia Warsaw

In June 2007, Augustyn returned to Poland, signing a four-year contract with Legia Warsaw.[4]

On 29 July 2007, he made his Legia Warsaw debut, making his first start before coming off in the 88th minutes just two minutes from the end of the game, in a 1-0 win against the KS Cracovia.[5] However, in his third appearance against Korona Kielce on 21 September 2007, Augustyn made a mistake in the 2nd minutes to the start to the game, allowing Grzegorz Bonin to score the only goal in the game. After the game, Augustyn apologised and took the blame for his mistake.[6] Between 2007 and 2008, the 19-year-old Augustyn made just 4 first team appearances, but spent time within the youth team as well.[7] Augustyn later spoke about his time at Legia Warsaw, saying the club accused him of "hypertrophy ambitions".[8]

Rimini Calcio

In August 2008, he joined Rimini on loan in the Italian Serie B.[9]

He suffered a knee injury during his second appearance for the club which saw him miss most of the season,[10] but he made four appearances in regular league matches and two in the playouts. Following Rimini's relegation,[11] Augustyn returned to Legia Warsaw, but was instantly sold back to Italy, joining Serie A side, Catania in June 2009.

Calcio Catania

On 22 June 2009, Augustyn signed a four-year contract with Serie A side Catania.[12]

During pre-season, he won the inaugural Dahlia Cup with Catania, playing half-matches against Serie A rivals Cagliari and Fiorentina. On 15 August 2009, he made his official debut starting for Catania against Cremonese in the 2009–10 Coppa Italia. Meanwhile, he made his Serie A debut on 23 August 2009, in a match where Augustyn was sent off after receiving a second yellow in the 78th minute.[13] He made ten league appearances, including six in the starting 11, before his season was cut short by a knee injury in April 2010.[14] Augustyn made his return to action, coming on as a substitute for Giuseppe Bellusci, in a 1–1 draw against Chievo on 16 January 2011.[15] Augustyn was then sent-off in the 75th minutes, in a 1–1 draw against Genoa on 27 February 2011.[16] Augustyn later played under manager Diego Simeone and described him as a "madman", though he did praised Simeone's tactics.[17]

On 31 August 2011, he was loaned to Vicenza Calcio in Serie B, with an option to purchase half of his contract.[18] Augustyn made his Vicenza debut on 4 September 2011, playing 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw against Ascoli.[19] Augustyn scored his first Vincenza goal on 15 October 2011, in a 2–1 win over Hellas Verona.[20] Though making 26 appearance for the club, Vicenza did not execute their purchase option, and therefore, the player returned to Sicily on 30 June 2012.[21]

After returning to Catania, the club tried to sell Augustyn by the end of the summer transfer window.[22] However, the club's attempted to sell Augustyn never happened and he failed to make a single appearance for the club until a substitute appearance on the final match-day of the 2012–13 campaign in a 2–2 away draw versus Torino.[23]

Górnik Zabrze

With his contract at Catania expring, Augustyn returned to Poland by signing for Górnik Zabrze on a one-year contract after playing in Italy for five-years.[24] Augustyn was linked with a move to Sassuolo before his move to Górnik Zabrze.[25]

Augustyn made his Górnik Zabrze debut in the opening game of the season, in a 2–1 win over Zagłębie Lubin.[26] Augustyn started four matches until he was replaced by Antoni Łukasiewicz in half-time, in a 3–2 win over Zawisza Bydgoszcz on 30 September 2013.[27] It revealed Augustyn suffered a foot injury on his left and wouldn't be able to train for the month.[28] After months on the sidelined, Augustyn made his return, making his first start, against Zagłębie Lubin on 16 February 2014 before being substituted in the 26th minutes by Boris Pandža, which saw Górnik Zabrze lose 3–0.[29] Augustyn initially thought he suffered an ankle injury, but after underwent surgery, it was announced that Augustyn would be out of the 2013–14 season.[30] At the end of the season, Augustyn had his contract extended for another season.

Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Augustyn aimed to make his return to the first team by getting back to shape.[31] Augustyn made his return in the first team, in the opening game of the season, and scoring a header in the early minutes, in a 2–0 win over KS Cracovia.[32] His progress from his return led foreign clubs keen to sign him.[33] Unfortunately, Augustyn was soon injured after he tore his quadriceps that kept him out for three to six weeks.[34] After two months on the sidelined, Augustyn made his return on 24 October 2014, in a 1–0 loss against GKS Bełchatów.[35] His return was then short-lived when he was sent-off in the 73rd minutes for professional foul on Rafał Murawski, in a 1–1 draw against Pogoń Szczecin on 2 November 2014.[36] As a result, Augustyn would have to serve four match ban.[37] After making his return, Augustyn scored his second goal of the season on 6 April 2015, in a 2–2 draw against Ruch Chorzów.[38] Later in the 2014–15 season, Augustyn was sent-off for the second time this season after a second bookable offense against Pogoń Szczecin and had to serve eight match ban.[39]

At the end of the season, it was announced that Augustyn would leave the club, with a hinting a move back to Italy,[40] though Greek club PAOK was among interested signing Augustyn.[41]

Heart of Midlothian

He signed for Scottish club Heart of Midlothian ("Hearts") on 18 June 2015, subjected to international clearance, though the contract length was revealed.[42]

Augustyn made his Hearts debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 4–3 win over St Johnstone.[43]

Personal life

Augustyn speaks Polish, English and Italian.[44]

Augustyn is married to former air hostess Monia and the couple have a daughter.[45] Augustyn considered himself as claustrophobic, preferring to "like have places to go and nice restaurants."[17]

References

  1. ↑ "Trzy nasze Kłusaki w Premier League?" (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. 3 August 2006. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "Teymourian trips Doncaster". The Guardian. 7 January 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "Bolton boss Lee lets quartet go". BBC News. 18 May 2007.
  4. ↑ "Błażej Augustyn w Legii Warszawa" (in Polish). sport.pl. 20 June 2007. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Dwa oblicza Legii" (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. 29 July 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Augustyn: winę biorę na siebie" (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. 23 September 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Piłkarz Legii: z ławki polskiej do włoskiej" (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "Błażej Augustyn: W Legii zarzucano mi przerost ambicji". Górnik Zabrze. 20 September 2013. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "Augustyn wypożyczony do Rimini Calcio" (in Polish). legia.com. 12 August 2008. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  10. ↑ "Augustyn zerwał więzadło w kolanie" (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. 17 November 2008. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  11. ↑ "Były piłkarz Legii zdegradowany" (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. 14 June 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  12. ↑ "BŁAŻEJ AUGUSTYN SPRZEDANY DO CATANII" (in Polish). legia.com. 27 June 2009. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  13. ↑ "Błażej Augustyn zadebiutował w Serie A" (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  14. ↑ "Catania, stagione finita per Augustyn". Corriere dello Sport. 7 April 2010. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  15. ↑ "Catania bloccato dalla prodezza di capitan Pellissie" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 16 January 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  16. ↑ "Serie A: czerwona kartka Augustyna" (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. 27 February 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  17. 1 2 "Hearts’ Blazej Augustyn opines on ‘madman’ Simeone". The Scotsman. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "Calciomercato Vicenza: Ufficiale, Preso Augustyn". Calcio Line. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  19. ↑ "Serie B: Ascoli-Vicenza, le probabili formazioni" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 4 September 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  20. ↑ "Hellas Verona, Maietta: "Arbitraggio penalizzante"" (in Italian). Tutto Maercato. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  21. ↑ "Catania, Bonanno: "Barrientos e Gomez? Nessuna offerta seria"" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  22. ↑ "Catania, Gasparin: "Big blindati, Augustyn in partenza"" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  23. ↑ "Torino-Catania 2–2: il tabellino della gara" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  24. ↑ "Błażej Augustyn piłkarzem Górnika" (in Polish). Górnik Zabrze. 5 September 2013. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  25. ↑ "Sportitalia - Sassuolo, vicino l'ingaggio di Augustyn" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  26. ↑ "Górnik - Zagłębie. Zabrzanie dogonili Legię" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  27. ↑ "Górnik - Zawisza 3:2. Gol w doliczonym czasie gry dał Górnikowi trzy punkty!" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  28. ↑ "Dłuższa przerwa Błażej Augustyna" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 2 November 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  29. ↑ "Zagłębie-Górnik: dwa gole Abwo, triumf Miedziowych" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 16 February 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  30. ↑ "Augustyn przeszedł w Rzymie operację" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  31. ↑ "Augustyn: Staram się wrócić do formy" (in Polish). Górnik Zabrze. 4 July 2014. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  32. ↑ "Górnik Zabrze - Cracovia, wynik 2:0. Wygrana gospodarzy na oczach mistrza świata" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  33. ↑ "Zachara i Augustyn odejdą z Górnika?" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 11 August 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  34. ↑ "Kontuzjowany Augustyn wróci szybko" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  35. ↑ "GKS Bełchatów - Górnik Zabrze 1:0. Andreja Prokić bohaterem gospodarzy" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  36. ↑ "Mecz Górnik Zabrze - Pogoń Szczecin na remis" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 2 November 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  37. ↑ "Nie ma pobłażania. Augustyn nadal pauzuje" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  38. ↑ "Górnik Zabrze na remis z Ruchem Chorzów" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  39. ↑ "Z ZAWISZĄ BEZ AUGUSTYNA I KOSZNIKA" (in Polish). Górnik Zabrze. 26 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  40. ↑ "Błażej Augustyn zakończył sezon. W Zabrzu racezej nie Zostaine" (in Polish). Katowicki Sport. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  41. ↑ "PAOK Saloniki zainteresował się Błażejem Augustynem" (in Polish). Gwizdek24.pl. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  42. ↑ "Blazej Augustyn: Hearts recruit Polish defender". BBC Sport. BBC. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  43. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (2 August 2015). "Hearts 4-3 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  44. ↑ "BŁAŻEJ AUGUSTYN O SKORUPSKIM, ROMIE I WŁOSKIM CATENACCIO" (in Polish). Górnik Zabrze. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  45. ↑ "Meet the stunning Hearts WAG who is set to up the glamour stakes at Tynecastle". Daily Record. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.

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