The Pole was 20 years old and left for the US. "Outstanding individual", special treatment

Correspondence from Žilina

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Some fans watching the match between the Polish U-21 national team and Georgia (1:2), when Wiktor Bogacz appeared on the pitch, might have had similar feelings – I know this guy from somewhere. No wonder, after all, the 20-year-old had only played 25 games in the Ekstraklasa. And then he left Miedź Legnica for 2 million euros. Heck, there was no shortage of people willing to pay a fortune for him.

The first information about Bogacz's interest could be interpreted as... a typo. Juventus began to take an interest in the Juvenia Starachowice graduate. And it was not just an ordinary interest, but rather an effort to convince the young footballer. It was similar when people from the Red Bull concern contacted the physically impressive striker. The goal was simple - to make Bogacz move overseas.

- They showed great determination, but also respect, because they invited him for a reconnaissance in the autumn. He flew there with his family and agent, and club representatives also flew to Poland. Wiktor was convinced by this project - admitted Miedź sports director Marek Ubych in an interview with TVP Sport. The club initially rejected the offers from New York, but when the Americans decided to pay 2 million euros for the teenager, it was hard to disagree.

Is moving to the United States at such a young age a good choice for Bogacz? Katarzyna Przepiórka from the American Football portal is convinced that he made the right decision.

– In my opinion, MLS is a good direction for development. Polish footballers who change their domestic games for a fairly strong league usually have problems breaking into the first team, they are loaned out and do not make the career they dreamed of – he says.

• See also: In such conditions Poles are fighting at Euro. Unbelievable

The first few days at New York Red Bulls could have been special for the youngster. After all, at the same time, Juergen Klopp joined the big corporation, whom he met by chance on the pitch on his first day at work.

Watch Wiktor Bogacz's first goal in MLS (00:40):

This wasn't the only big name he met at the club. Eventually, the young Pole joined Emil Forsberg's team. His rival in attack was Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting, a former player at Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. And that's why the 20-year-old appeared on the pitch from the bench most often.

– He hasn't played much so far, because Choupo-Moting is the main player, and Bogacz joined the club with an injury and didn't work through the entire preparation period the way he should have. He's looked a bit better recently, but this season he should focus on learning – Przepiórka tells us.

Wiktor Bogacz managed to play 25 matches in the Ekstraklasa, scored eight goals and had two assists. But let's be honest, that's not what convinced the big clubs to the young Pole. His undoubted advantage is his exceptional physical condition - he is 193 centimeters tall, he can play in the air, and he also scored goals in acrobatic ways. But that's not all.

- We always knew within the organization that Wiktor is an exceptional organism. We waited patiently for him, although we had some difficult moments together. When it seemed that he was getting into high gear and was finally ready, some injury would pop up. For many, this transfer is a surprise, probably even for Miedź fans, but we have been aware for years that he is an outstanding motor unit - stated Ubych in an interview with Weszło.

It wasn't just the motor skills that were supposed to convince the Americans to make the transfer. What's more, in New York they even tried to get Wiktor Bogacz to sign, even though he had previously withdrawn at the last minute. But why should that be surprising, since he's being compared to... Erling Haaland.

– NY Red Bulls were very keen on Bogacz. Among other things, because of his great physical condition. It is believed that he is a player with similar motor skills to Erling Haaland. The Major League Soccer club was not discouraged even by the fact that Bogacz had already passed physical tests a year ago and ultimately decided not to transfer. However, six months later he signed a contract on the so-called U22 initiative. Contrary to appearances, in MLS, due to the high financial restrictions, apart from Designated Players, footballers do not earn that much at all. One of the exceptions is this contract for young players with great potential, who can then earn a bit more. This alone means that the faith in Wiktor Bogacz is quite high – emphasizes Katarzyna Przepiórka.

For Wiktor Bogacz, the match against Georgia at the European Championships was... his debut in the Polish U-21 national team. Adam Majewski must have trusted him, because at the beginning of the training camp in Wola Chorzelowska it was clear that either he or Szymon Włodarczyk would go to the tournament.

– The most important thing was that he was in match rhythm. Besides, he is 20 years old, so he will be able to play in the squad with younger age groups – the coach told us, who immediately revealed that he will stay in the position for a longer time .

Well, if he is an exceptional talent, why did he only make his debut now? And here comes the main theme of the 20-year-old's career so far - injuries.

The play-off final for the U17 Central Junior League with Zagłębie Sosnowiec? Returning from injury, entering the pitch in the 89th minute with the score 0:1, two goals and promotion.

Tests in Pisa at the age of 17? 17 minutes on the pitch, two goals and... injury.

This season, Bogacz also had the same problem, but a back injury ruled him out for only four MLS games. Then he started playing a few minutes, then a dozen or so, and recently he's been playing more and more, with an assist and a goal on his account.

And it was these performances that decided that he was called up for the European Championship. His start looked good – he replaced Filip Szymczak, used his height several times, and after he blocked in the penalty area and passed to Mariusz Fornalczyk, he won a penalty.

And then? Against Portugal (0:5) he couldn't play... of course because of injury. Hopefully in the last match of the Poles at the European Under-21 Championship, against France (17.06), Bogacz will be able to prove his potential.