# Oliwier Zych

Oliwier "Oli" Zych (born 28 June 2004) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Aston Villa.

## Club career
### Youth career in Poland

Zych spent time in the youth system of Arka Gdynia, before continuing his football career at Zagłębie Lubin, working through the youth academy. In August 2020, after being scouted by Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich, Zych was signed by Premier League club Aston Villa, joining their academy.

### Aston Villa

In 2021, Zych was part of the Aston Villa U18 squad that won the FA Youth Cup. In August 2021, he was given a professional contract by the club.
On 13 October 2022, Zych signed a contract extension with Villa.

#### Loan to Puszcza Niepołomice

On 4 September 2023, Zych signed for Polish top flight club Puszcza Niepołomice on a season-long loan. He made his Ekstraklasa debut on 15 September, in a 3–1 defeat to Śląsk Wrocław. On 1 April 2024, in a 1–1 home draw against Radomiak Radom, Zych was beaten by a clearance by Radomiak's goalkeeper Gabriel Kobylak from outside his box. Despite this, Zych received praise for his performances across the 2023–24 season, resulting in a nomination for the Ekstraklasa Goalkeeper of the Season award in May 2024. He returned to England at the conclusion of the season.

#### Senior debut

Zych was named in Aston Villa's pre-season squad for their tour of the United States of America in July 2024. He played his first senior minutes for Villa on July 27, 2024, coming on at half-time in a 4-1 defeat to Columbus Crew in Ohio, conceding a single goal to Dylan Chambost.

## International career

In 2019, Zych was named in the Poland U15 squad that was invited to join the 2019 South American U-15 Championship, however Poland ultimately withdrew from the tournament.
On 7 February 2023, Zych was called up to a Poland U19 training camp for the first time, going on to captain the team in a 3–2 friendly victory over Czech Republic.
On 26 June 2023, he was named in the Poland U19 squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
In May 2024, Zych received his first under-21 call-up for a friendly against North Macedonia on 1 June 2024. Later that month, Zych received his first call-up to the senior team, being named in Poland's provisional squad for UEFA Euro 2024. His debut for the under-21 side only lasted twelve minutes – he was substituted in the 57th minute after picking up an injury while conceding the second goal in a 1–2 loss, which ruled him out of the tournament.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 17 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Europe | Europe | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Aston Villa | 2021–22 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Aston Villa | 2022–23 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aston Villa | 2023–24 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aston Villa | 2024–25 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Aston Villa | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Puszcza Niepołomice (loan) | 2023–24 | Ekstraklasa | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
* ↑ Includes FA Cup, Polish Cup
* 1 2 Appearances in EFL Trophy

## Honours

Aston Villa U18
* FA Youth Cup: 2020–21
Individual
* Ekstraklasa Young Player of the Month: May 2024