Biography
Who is Ebi Smolarek?
Early life and career
Ebi Smolarek was born in Łódź, Poland. He spent much of his upbringing in the Netherlands. His father, Włodzimierz Smolarek, was a professional player in the Eredivisie and later worked as a coach. This sporting background influenced his path into professional football.
He developed his skills within the Feyenoord youth system. He eventually earned a place in the first team at the club. This period helped establish his career as a professional athlete.
Club career highlights
The striker played for several clubs across Europe, including ADO Den Haag and Borussia Dortmund. In August 2007, he moved to Racing de Santander for a fee of 4.8 million euros. He later spent time on loan at Bolton Wanderers in England. During his stay in England, he scored one goal for the club in an FA Cup match against Sunderland.
Following his time in England, Ebi Smolarek played for Kavala in Greece. He also played for Polonia Warsaw and Jagiellonia Białystok in Poland. His professional path included stints in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, England, Greece, and Qatar.
International performance
Ebi Smolarek represented the Polish national team starting in 2002. He earned 47 caps and scored 19 goals for his country. This tally ranks him among the top scorers in the history of the Polish national team. He was a member of the squads for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008.
During the qualifying rounds for Euro 2008, he was the top scorer for both Poland and Group A. He scored nine goals during that campaign, including a hat-trick against Kazakhstan. He also famously scored four goals in a single match against San Marino in April 2009.
Personal life and honors
The player was named after the Portuguese football legend Eusébio. He has a son named Mees, born in April 2010, with his fiancée Thirza van Giessen. His father, Włodzimierz, was also a Polish international player.
Regarding individual recognition, he was named Polish Footballer of the Year in 2005, 2006, and 2007. These awards recognized his contributions to the sport during those years. He currently serves as the head of the Polish Union of Footballers.
Birthday and age
Ebi Smolarek was born on January 9, 1981, which makes Ebi 45 years old today. That birthday falls under the Capricorn sign. Ebi shares the date with 42 other famous people.
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