Highly paid Poles invade the Isles

Just a few years ago the only recognizable Polish footballer, and the only Polish National Team member, playing in the British Premiership was Jerzy Dudek. After Poland's entry into the EU, all of that has changed. The winter transfer window has been uncommonly busy with Poles getting transferred or linked to the Isles left and right. No less then eight Polish National Team members currently play in leagues across the UK: Maciej Zurawski (Celtic), Artur Boruc (Celtic), Jerzy Dudek (Liverpool), Tomasz Frankowski (Wolves), Kamil Kosowski (Southampton Saints), Tomasz Hajto (Southampton Saints), Grzegorz Rasiak (Hotspur) and Emmanuel Olisadebe (Pompey). Other leading Polish NT players are being linked with possible moves, Jacek Krzynowek from Bayer Leverkusen to Pompey, Marcin Baszczynski from Wisla Krakow to West Ham United, and Radoslaw Sobolewski from Wisla Krakow to Southampton. It looks like the majority of Polands starters playing in the World Cup this summer will be from the leagues across the UK. With other up and coming Poles also being snatched up: Bartosz Tarachulski (Dunfermline Athletic), Ziggy Malkowski (Hibernian FC), Bartosz Bialkowski (Southampton Saints), and Tomasz Kuszczak (West Brom), it appears that unlike the Polish plumber, no one fears the Polish footballers. It is quite a stunning turnaround.

The reason behind this sudden influx is Poland’s accession into the EU, before joining the EU a Polish player would have to fulfill certain work permit criteria - that is he would have to play in 75 per cent of Poland’s internationals to play in the Premiership. Now, any up and coming Pole has a shot of being signed, even "The Sausage" Grzegorz Piechna was linked with a move to Birmingham this winter. Just as Polish masons and plumbers have benefited from being able to work freely in Britain; Polish footballers are finding the UK to their liking. Interestingly enough Poles haven't been snatched up in any greater numbers by French, Spanish, German (though Germany has always had a larger proportion of Polish players) or Italian teams.