# Cezary Polak

Cezary Polak (born 31 May 2003) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Ekstraklasa club Jagiellonia Białystok.

## Club career
### Youth career

In 2013, Polak joined Sęp Żelechów, where he stayed until 2015. In 2016, he started playing in Wilga Garwolin and in the same year, he was transferred to Escola Varsovia, where he spent the rest of his youth career. During his last season in Escola, he played 27 matches and scored eleven goals for their under-19 team.

### Loan to Motor Lublin

On 9 August 2021, Polak was loaned to Motor Lublin until the end of the season, His new club also secured its rights to buy him after the loan. He debuted in II liga nine days later, on 18 August 2021, in a 3–0 home victory over Hutnik Kraków, after being assigned a squad number #76. During that match, he came off the bench in the 85th minute, replacing Piotr Kusiński. He saw the first red card of his senior career on 9 October 2021, in a goalless draw with KKS 1925 Kalisz. In the 2021–22 season, he appeared on the pitch 20 times and made four assists.

### Garbarnia Kraków

On 22 July 2022, he moved to Garbarnia Kraków on a two-year deal, with a clause in his contract allowing it to be prolonged for an additional year. After being assigned squad number #3, he debuted for his new team on 10 August 2022 in a 3–1 home victory against Śląsk Wrocław II. In the 90th minute of that match, he was given a red card. He scored the first goal of his senior career in the 81th minute of a 4–4 home draw with GKS Jastrzębie on 15 August 2022. On 5 April of the following year, in the 73th minute of a 3–0 home victory over Lech Poznań II, he was again sent off the pitch. During his stay at Garbarnia, he made 19 appearances, scored one goal and was given two red cards.

### Kotwica Kołobrzeg

On 13 July 2023, Polak's transfer to Kotwica Kołobrzeg was announced by Garbarnia. In his new club, he was assigned squad number #4. He debuted in Kotwica in a 1–0 home loss against Polonia Bytom, it was also his debut in a starting lineup. He scored his first goal for a new team in the 34th minute of a 3–3 away draw in Polish Cup with Pogoń Siedlce, he was also given a red card at the end of that match.
During the winter break, he rejected a €150,000 transfer offer made by an undisclosed Danish club. Three Ekstraklasa clubs, Legia Warsaw, Raków Częstochowa and Radomiak Radom also made their offers. On 10 March 2024, he scored an own goal in a home loss against Skra Częstochowa, setting its result to 0–1. Together with Kotwica, he advanced to I liga. Throughout the summer break, more offers to transfer him were made. Raków Częstochowa offered €300,000 for his transfer, as well as Aalborg Boldspilklub and 1. FC Magdeburg. Wisła Kraków was also interested in acquiring him for the same amount of money, but they were unsuccessful due to their inability to pay Kotwica directly.

### Jagiellonia Białystok

On 3 September 2024, after successfully undergoing medical testing a day prior, Polak was transferred to Ekstraklasa club Jagiellonia Białystok on a three-year deal. In Jagiellonia, he was assigned squad number 5.

## International career

Polak played for the Poland under-20s, which he captained. He also earned caps with the Poland U21 team, making his debut in a 2–1 victory over Israel on 17 November 2023.