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Southampton: World Cup bound Bednarek is 7th Polish Saint

By Marc Walker

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Jan Bednarek of Southampton scores his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Jan Bednarek of Southampton scores his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /
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Southampton’s Jan Bednarek was included in Poland’s 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and he is just the latest Polish player to represent the Saints.

In all, seven players of Polish nationality have turned out in the red and white stripes, and all of them joined the club in he period from 2005 until the present day.

Southampton’s transfer policy clearly highlighted Poland as a rich area for some quality players for Championship level as the club struggled with financial difficulties.

Following relegation from the Premier League, the Saints needed to source talent for a lower price and managed to find a few gems in that time. It now looks like Jan Bednarek could be another success at the club.

Below are the seven players from his homeland that have turned out at St Mary’s over the past 13 years.

Next: Saints target Shaqiri has £12m release clause

EASTLEIGH, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 04: Grzegorz Rasiak of Southampton in action during the Pre Season Friendly match between Eastleigh and Southampton at Silverlake Stadium on July 04, 2009 in Eastleigh, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
EASTLEIGH, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 04: Grzegorz Rasiak of Southampton in action during the Pre Season Friendly match between Eastleigh and Southampton at Silverlake Stadium on July 04, 2009 in Eastleigh, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images) /

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Tomasz Hajto (2005-2006) – The Centre-Back joined the club on a free transfer in their first season back in the Championship and made 20 appearances before leaving in January of the same season after just 5 months on the South Coast. He has since retired and moved into management.

Kamil Kosowski (2005-2006) – Kosowski joined on a season-long loan deal and looked to provide some creativity from the wing. However, he made 18 appearances during the campaign and scored just once

Grzegorz Rasiak (2006-2009) – Arguably the biggest success in this list. Joined from Spurs for £2.7m and hit the ground running with 21 goals in his first season; firing Saints to a sixth place finish and the play-offs. Overall made 87 appearances and scored 33 goals before moving on as Saints slipped down to League One.

Bartosz Bialkowski (2006-2012) – Joined the club for a fee of just £45k but often found himself as the club’s second-choice stopper. 40 appearances and 14 clean sheets came in his six years at St Mary’s. Moved on to Notts County and now Ipswich Town’s number 1.

Marek Saganowski (2007-2010) – Another success as a striker at the club, and managed 19 goals in 73 appearances. Finest day in a Saints shirt was a hat-trick against Wolves in a 6-0 win.

Artur Boruc (2012-2014) – Joined Saints for free after being released by Celtic and slowly became the club’s main goalkeeper after spells behind Davis and Gazzaniga. 50 appearances and 19 clean sheets, but he may well be remembered more for his infamous mistake against Arsenal. Now at Bournemouth.

Jan Bednarek (2017-) – Joined for a fee of £5m last summer and had to wait for his opportunity. However, some strong displays and a goal against Chelsea late in the last season showed his ability to play in the Premier League. Received club’s Player of the Month for May and a call-up to Poland’s World Cup squad as a reward.