Kacper Wełniak

Kacper Wełniak
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-05-21) 21 May 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth Nakło nad Notecią, Poland
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Motor Lublin
Number 9
Youth career
Skra Paterek
2009–2014 Czarni Nakło nad Notecią
2014–2017 Legia Warsaw
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 Legia Warsaw II 33 (8)
2019Siarka Tarnobrzeg (loan) 11 (2)
2020–2021 Wigry Suwałki 38 (6)
2021–2022 Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała 22 (0)
2022–2023Motor Lublin (loan) 16 (8)
2023– Motor Lublin 33 (2)
International career
2015–2016 Poland U15
2016–2017 Poland U17
2017 Poland U18 2 (1)
2018 Poland U19 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:46, 24 December 2024 (UTC)

Kacper Wełniak (born 21 May 2000) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ekstraklasa club Motor Lublin.[1]

Career

Youth career

Wełniak started playing football in Skra Paterek.[1][2] In 2009, he moved to Czarni Nakło nad Notecią.[1] On 1 March 2013,[3] during testing for Legia's academy,[4] he sustained a fibula and tibia fracture and underwent surgery,[5] with his rehabilitation lasting until November.[3][5] During the 2014–15 season, he signed a contract with Legia Warsaw's academy, where he stayed until the rest of his youth career.[1][6] Before his transfer, Arka Gdynia, Lech Poznań, Lechia Gdańsk and Zawisza Bydgoszcz youth teams were interested in contracting him.[3]

Legia Warsaw II

He made his debut in Legia's second team on 14 June 2017, coming off the substitutes' bench in the 68th minute of a 1–2 home loss to MKS Ełk.[7] On 27 September, he scored two goals during a 3–1 UEFA Youth League victory over Breiðablik's youth team. He scored his first goal for Legia II on 23 May 2018, in the 75th minute of a 2–2 draw with Tur Bielsk Podlaski.[8] In December 2019, he underwent a trial with Stal Stalowa Wola, which did not result in contracting him.[4]

Loan to Siarka Tarnobrzeg

On 15 January 2019,[9] his one-year loan to Siarka Tarnobrzeg was announced by the club.[10][11] Wełniak made his debut in II liga on 16 March 2019 during a 2–2 draw against Znicz Pruszków, during which he came in as a substitute in the 79th minute. On 19 May, he scored the first double of his senior career in a 2–1 home victory over Skra Częstochowa. These two goals were also his first for Siarka.[12]

Return from the loan

On 10 October 2019, in the 57th minute of a 5–0 away loss over Znicz Biała Piska, Wełniak saw a straight red card.[13] In total, during the 2019–20 season, he scored five goals for Legia II, from which two were scored in a match against Ursus Warsaw.[14]

Wigry Suwałki

On 10 January 2020, Wełniak was transferred to I liga side Wigry Suwałki on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[15][16][17] He made his debut on 1 March during a 4–0 away loss over Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała.[14] Five matches before the end of that season, he was relegated to II liga with his team.[18] He spent the next season in Wigry.[19] On 27 July 2020, his contract was prolonged for further two years, until June 2024.[20]

In fall 2020, he sustained an injury to the inferior tibiofibular joint and the ligaments of an ankle.[21] Wełniak scored his first two goals on 25 September 2020, during a 2–0 victory with Śląsk Wrocław II, when he came off the bench in the 12th minute of a match as a consequence of an injury sustained by Cezary Sauczek.[19][22][23] Over the course of the two seasons, Wełniak played in 39 matches and scored six goals.[14][19][24]

Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała

On 24 July 2021, he moved from Wigry to Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała on a three-year deal. There was a clause made in that contract, allowing it to be prolonged.[25][26] He played his first minute in his new team on 17 August, in a goalless draw against GKS Tychy.[27] In total, he played in twenty-four matches in Podbeskidzie and did not score a goal.[27][28]

Loan to Motor Lublin

On 17 January 2023,[29] he was loaned to the I liga side Motor Lublin, with an option to make the move permanent.[30][31][32] where he made his debut in a 3–1 victory over Górnik Polkowice on 5 March. In the 16th minute of that match, he scored the first goal for his new team.[33][34] During his loan spell, Wełniak scored eight goals in 17 matches across all competitions.[28] After the season, Motor advanced to I liga after winning the promotion play-offs.[30][35]

Motor Lublin

His transfer to Motor on a three-year deal was announced on 30 July 2023, following the exercise of the transfer clause in his loan deal.[36][37] On 29 October that year, in the 90th minute of a 2–0 victory over Odra Opole, he scored his first goal in the second division.[38][39] It was also his first goal since the match with Radunia Stężyca, which took place on 13 May.[28][40] On 21 April 2021, in the third minute of a 2–0 away loss over Miedź Legnica, Wełniak scored an own goal.[40][41] After the season, Motor made its advance to Ekstraklasa,[42] where he made his debut in a 1–1 home draw against Korona Kielce on 4 August 2024. On 19 October 2024, in the 86th minute of a 3–4 home loss over Widzew Łódź, he scored his premiere goal in Polish top league.[43]

International career

Wełniak played for the Poland under-16 national team,[3] making his debut against Serbia on 27 October 2015.[44][45]

He was part of the under-17s,[3][46] where he took part in matches against Armenia,[47] Spain,[48] Norway[49] and Romania.[50] On 3 November 2017, he scored two goals in a 2–0 victory over Iceland.[51] Wełniak also played for the under-18[6] and under-19 teams.[4]

Personal life

He enjoys reading and learning foreign languages.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Kacper Wełniak". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  2. ^ "Kacper Wełniak pierwszym zimowym transferem Siarki". nadwisla24.pl | Regionalny Portal Informacyjny (in Polish). 2019-01-14. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Wełniak: Skoro Bargiel już dostał swoją szansę w Ekstraklasie, to na nas też przyjdzie czas" (in Polish). 2016-07-25. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  4. ^ a b c "Kacper Wełniak, nowy napastnik Siarki Tarnobrzeg: Patrząc na poziom drużyny, utrzymanie będzie formalnością". plus.echodnia.eu (in Polish). 2019-02-01. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  5. ^ a b c Maciej Ziółkowski (2017-10-16). "Kacper Wełniak: Nigdy nie jestem z siebie do końca zadowolony". legia.net. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  6. ^ a b Karol Kurzępa (2023-01-17). "Motor ma nowego snajpera. Dwóch piłkarzy odejdzie z klubu". Lublin24.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  7. ^ "Kacper Wełniak (sezon 2016/2017)". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  8. ^ "Kacper Wełniak (sezon 2017/2018)". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  9. ^ "Wełniak już trenuje". siarka-tarnobrzeg.pl (in Polish). 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  10. ^ "Kacper Wełniak pierwszym wzmocnieniem Siarki Tarnobrzeg". podkarpacielive.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  11. ^ "Kacper Wełniak, nowy napastnik Siarki Tarnobrzeg: Patrząc na poziom drużyny, utrzymanie będzie formalnością". plus.echodnia.eu (in Polish). 2019-02-01. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  12. ^ "Kacper Wełniak (sezon 2018/2019)". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  13. ^ "Znicz Biała Piska 5-0 Legia II Warszawa". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  14. ^ a b c "Kacper Wełniak (sezon 2019/2020)". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  15. ^ "Kacper Wełniak piłkarzem Wigier". wigrysuwalki.eu. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  16. ^ "Wełniak odszedł do Wigier - legionisci.com". legionisci.com. 2020-01-10. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  17. ^ Maciej Pietrasik. "Kolejne wzmocnienie Wigier Suwałki. W klubie jest nowy napastnik". Meczyki.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  18. ^ Piekarski, Tomasz (2020-07-02). "Wigry Suwałki żegnają się z I ligą". bialystok.wyborcza.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  19. ^ a b c "Kacper Wełniak (sezon 2020/2021)". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  20. ^ "Kacper Wełniak podpisał kontrakt z Wigrami Suwałki S.A." wigrysuwalki.eu. 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  21. ^ "Raport medyczny". wigrysuwalki.eu. 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  22. ^ Adam Muśko (2020-09-26). "Wigry - Śląsk II Wrocław. Trzecia w sezonie wygrana Wigier u siebie". Gol24 (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  23. ^ Adrian Milewski. "Wigry Suwałki – Śląsk II Wrocław 2:0. Kacper Wełniak eksplodował [wideo i zdjęcia]". www.suwalki24.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  24. ^ "Kacper Wełniak odchodzi z Wigier". wigrysuwalki.eu. 2021-07-24. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  25. ^ "Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała pozyskało nowego napastnika. Kacper Wełniak trafił do „Górali" [OFICJALNIE]". Transfery.info. 2021-07-24. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  26. ^ "Kacper Wełniak w zespole Górali!". tspodbeskidzie.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  27. ^ a b "Kacper Wełniak (sezon 2021/2022)". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  28. ^ a b c "Kacper Wełniak (sezon 2022/2023)". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  29. ^ "Kacper Wełniak dołącza do Motoru Lublin!". www.motorlublin.eu. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  30. ^ a b Piotr Rzepecki (2023-06-11). "Motor Lublin zameldował się w Fortuna 1. Lidze! Szósta drużyna sezonu zasadniczego wygrała baraże o zaplecze". Gol24 (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  31. ^ Karol Kurzępa (2023-01-17). "Motor ma nowego snajpera. Dwóch piłkarzy odejdzie z klubu". Lublin24.pl - Najszybszy portal w mieście. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  32. ^ Wiesław Pawlat (2023-01-18). "Motor Lublin wzmacnia linię ataku. Do zespołu dołączył nowy napastnik". lublin.wyborcza.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  33. ^ Łukasz Gładysiewicz (2023-02-24). "Motor Lublin – Górnik Polkowice 3:1. Dwa gole w końcówce i trzy punkty na inaugurację". Dziennik Wschodni (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  34. ^ Kamil Wojdat (2023-02-24). "Świetny mecz Motoru i zasłużona wygrana z Górnikiem Polkowice". Gol24 (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  35. ^ Konrad Ferszter (2023-06-11). "Przetrwali dogrywkę w dziesiątkę i wywalczyli awans do I ligi w rzutach karnych". Sport.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  36. ^ "Kacper Wełniak wykupiony przez Motor Lublin". tspodbeskidzie.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  37. ^ "Kacper Wełniak na dłużej w Motorze!". motorlublin.eu. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  38. ^ Łukasz Gładysiewicz (2023-11-01). "Kacper Wełniak w końcu z golem w Fortuna I Lidze, tańsze bilety na niedzielny mecz z Wisłą Płock". Dziennik Wschodni. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  39. ^ Kamil Wojdat (2023-10-31). "„Piłkarskie Orły" – Lubelszczyzna. Czekał, czekał i się doczekał. Przełamanie Kacpra Wełniaka". Kurier Lubelski (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  40. ^ a b "Kacper Wełniak (sezon 2023/2024)". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  41. ^ Kacper Ciuksza (2024-04-21). "Kuriozalny gol i rzut karny. Nieskuteczny Motor przegrywa w ważnym meczu (WIDEO)". lublin24.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  42. ^ Wojdat, Kamil (2024-06-10). "Kolejni piłkarze opuszczają Motor Lublin. Kto i kiedy przyjdzie w ich miejsce?". Kurier Lubelski (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  43. ^ "Kacper Wełniak (season 2024–25)". www.90minut.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  44. ^ "U-16: Porażka Polski w meczu z Serbią - Reprezentacja młodzieżowa U-16". PZPN - Łączy nas piłka. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  45. ^ "U-16: Zagraliśmy z Serbią. Jest dobrze, a będzie jeszcze lepiej". www2.laczynaspilka.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  46. ^ Piotr Kamieniecki (2017-02-17). "U-17: Pięciu legionistów w kadrze na turniej eliminacyjny". legia.net. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  47. ^ "U-17: Polacy zremisowali z Armenią - Reprezentacja młodzieżowa U-17". PZPN - Łączy nas piłka. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  48. ^ "Eliminacje do ME U-17 - porażka z Hiszpanią". sport.olza.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  49. ^ Przemek (2017-02-13). "Paweł Sokół bohaterem reprezentacji U17 [wideo]". Skauci UK (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  50. ^ "U-17: Polska pokonała Rumunię - Reprezentacja młodzieżowa U-17". PZPN - Łączy nas piłka. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  51. ^ "U-17: Biało-czerwoni pokonali Islandię". www2.laczynaspilka.pl. Retrieved 2024-12-12.