Kamil Glik

Early career

Glik began his career in the youth ranks of MOSiR Jastrzębie Zdrój and WSP Wodzisław Śląski before moving to LKS Silesia Lubomia on loan. In 2006, he moved from WSP Wodzisław Śląski to Horadada in Spain, where he was noticed by Real Madrid and registered with the club's reserve team. On 6 August 2008, he signed a four-year contract with Polish top division side Piast Gliwice. On 30 August 2008, Glik made his league debut for Piast Gliwice in the match against Jagiellonia Białystok. At the end of the season, Glik reportedly begun talks with Italian club U.S. Città di Palermo. On 7 July 2010, he signed with said Sicilian club, who purchased him outright on a five-year contract. A few days before the official reopening of the Serie A transfer window, Palermo granted an exemption and allowed him to train – with a recovery date set for 28 December 2011 – with his new club, Bari. He moved to Bari until the end of season, but was strongly backed by the coach Giampiero Ventura; the contract was filed on 4 January. After the resumption of the league on 6 January, Glik debuted as a starter in the Puglia derby between Lecce and Bari, which ended in a 0–1 loss for his club.

Torino

Arrival and Serie A debut

On 12 July 2011, having supported Torino's training camp, Glik transferred to the club in a co-ownership deal in Serie B for €300,000. He made his debut on 13 August against Lumezzane in the second round of Coppa Italia, played as a starter,…

Glik was called up to the Polish senior team on 18 December 2009, being the first Piast Gliwice player to do so. He debuted on 20 January 2010 at the King's Cup against Thailand, scoring 43 minutes into his debut which resulted in a 3–1 victory for Poland. On 17 October 2012, Glik scored the equalizing goal in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification against England. He played an important role in Poland's Euro 2016 qualifying and final tournaments, making the most clearances out of any other players in the tournament and scored two penalties in two penalty shoot-outs; one of them in a 5–4 victory against Switzerland, and the other in a 5–3 defeat to eventual champions Portugal.

In June 2018, Glik became part of the Polish squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In May 2021, he was included in the final squad for the postponed UEFA Euro 2020. On 10 November 2022, Glik was called up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. On 22 November, he played his 100th match for Poland in their first 2022 World Cup one against Mexico.

Glik is a tall centre-back combining physicality and mobility; his biggest strength is his aerial ability, both in marking and on set pieces in the opposing area. He is also known for his leadership on the pitch.

Glik's paternal grandfather, Walter Glück, was Upper Silesian, he was forcibly conscripted into the Wehrmacht. After the war, he stayed in what then became Poland, so Glik holds both German and Polish citizenships. In his German documents, his surname is written in the German version Glück instead of the Polonised version Glik. Despite this, Glik has repeatedly said that he does not feel any connection with Germany and considers himself 100% Polish.