Pawel Kieszek

Paweł Kieszek ([ˈpavɛu̯ ˈkʲɛʂɛk]; born 16 April 1984) is a Polish footballer who plays for Portuguese club Rio Ave F.C. as a goalkeeper.

After starting out at Polonia Warsaw he went on to spend most of his professional career in Portugal, signing in 2007 with Braga. He also played three years in the Spanish Segunda División, with Córdoba and Málaga.

Club career
Born in Warsaw, Kieszek began his professional career at local Polonia Warsaw in the Ekstraklasa. In January 2006 he was loaned to Greek club Egaleo FC, where he remained until the end of the year; he returned to Polonia, which had been relegated to the second level in his absence, for 2006–07, playing only a few games before getting injured and missing the rest of the season.

Kieszek signed with S.C. Braga in Portugal in June 2007, on a free transfer. He made his debut for his new team on 21 February 2008 in a 0–1 home loss against SV Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup round of 32,[1] first appearing in the Primeira Liga three days later against S.L. Benfica (1–1).[2]

In January 2009, Kieszek joined Vitória F.C. on loan until the end of the campaign,[3] being relatively used during his spell as the Sadinos managed to retain their top flight status. Upon his return to Braga, he was a backup to Portuguese international Eduardo.[4]

In July 2010, after an uneventful 2009–10 with Braga – the side finished second, but he only appeared in three matches in the season's Portuguese League Cup, conceding four goals – Kieszek signed a four-year contract with FC Porto, with Braga retaining 50% of his economic rights.[5][6] In August of the following year, after only four official appearances, he was loaned to Roda JC from the Netherlands.[7]

On 16 June 2014, after two years with former team Setúbal, Kieszek agreed to a two-year deal with G.D. Estoril Praia.[8] On 13 July 2016, after 62 competitive matches, he switched clubs and countries again, joining Spanish Segunda División's Córdoba CF.[9]

On 31 August 2018, as Córdoba's financial situation prevented his registration, Kieszek terminated his contract and moved to fellow league side Málaga CF.[10] He returned to Portugal and its top tier 11 months later, agreeing to a two-year deal at Rio Ave FC.[11]