Mateusz Klich Bio
Mateusz Andrzej Klich is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ekstraklasa club Cracovia. He began his senior career with Cracovia in 2008 and has since featured for clubs in Germany, the Netherlands, England, and the United States, building a reputation as a creative, pass-oriented central midfielder. Klich has represented the Poland national team and was a member of the squad that competed at UEFA Euro 2020.
Early Life and Background
Mateusz Andrzej Klich was born on 13 June 1990 in Tarnów, Poland. He grew up in a sport-focused household that shaped his early path in football. His father, Wojciech Klich, was a professional footballer who played 84 matches in the Polish first division and later worked as a youth coach at Cracovia.
His mother, Małgorzata Klich, is a physical education teacher who once won a bronze medal at the Polish championships in 800m freestyle swimming. His sister, Maja Klich, is also a competitive swimmer, giving the family a broad athletic foundation. Standing 1.83 m tall, Klich joined the youth ranks at local side Tarnovia Tarnów in 1999 before moving to Cracovia’s academy in 2003.
Path to Professional Soccer
Klich progressed through Cracovia’s academy and signed his first professional contract with the club, making his Ekstraklasa debut in November 2008. During the 2009–10 season, he established himself as a regular in Cracovia’s starting eleven, drawing attention from clubs abroad with his passing range and composure in possession.
In June 2011, Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg signed Klich on a three-year deal for a reported €1.5 million, a fee that made him the most valuable outgoing player in Cracovia’s history at that time. The move gave him a platform to test himself in one of Europe’s top leagues and set the stage for a journeyman career across multiple countries.
Mateusz Klich Career
Early Career (2008–2014)
Klich debuted for Cracovia in November 2008 and became a regular the following season. His performances earned him a transfer to VfL Wolfsburg in 2011 for a club-record €1.5 million, though he was immediately loaned to Dutch side PEC Zwolle for the first half of the 2012–13 season.
After making the Zwolle move permanent for a reported €200,000, Klich helped the club win the 2013–14 KNVB Cup, beating Ajax 5–1 in the final on 20 April 2014. The trophy also secured PEC Zwolle a place in the Europa League, marking the first major honour of his senior career.
Wolfsburg Return and Kaiserslautern (2014–2016)
Wolfsburg exercised their repurchase option on Klich in June 2014, but he struggled to break into a midfield featuring Kevin De Bruyne, Josuha Guilavogui, and Luiz Gustavo. Most of his minutes came with the reserve team during the first half of the 2014–15 season.
In early January 2015, Klich joined 2. Bundesliga side 1. FC Kaiserslautern on a contract until summer 2018. The move offered regular first-team football and a chance to rebuild his confidence in a competitive second-tier environment.
FC Twente Breakthrough (2016–2017)
On 26 August 2016, Klich signed a three-year contract with Eredivisie club FC Twente and was assigned squad number 43. He debuted on 10 September 2016 against SC Heerenveen and scored his first goal for the club on 2 October 2016 in a 1–1 draw with Heracles Almelo.
In his first season at Twente, Klich scored six goals and added four assists, helping the club finish seventh in the Eredivisie. His ball-winning, passing, and goalscoring contribution from central midfield revived his career and attracted English Championship side Leeds United.
Leeds United Era (2017–2023)
Klich signed a three-year deal with Leeds United on 23 June 2017 and debuted in a 4–1 League Cup win over Port Vale on 9 August. After a difficult first year under Thomas Christiansen, he was loaned to FC Utrecht in January 2018, where he impressed with 11 chances created in a single Eredivisie match and helped Utrecht reach the Europa League playoffs.
Under new Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa in 2018–19, Klich became a central figure, scoring 10 goals in 50 appearances as Leeds finished third and reached the Championship playoffs. A standout moment came in the 2019–20 season, when he signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract and helped Leeds win the EFL Championship title in July 2020, earning promotion to the Premier League.
Klich scored on his Premier League debut against Liverpool on 12 September 2020 in a 4–3 defeat and continued to play a key role under Bielsa. His final appearance for Leeds came on 4 January 2023, when teammates formed a guard of honour wearing shirts featuring his face as he departed Elland Road.
D.C. United Era (2023–2024)
On 12 January 2023, Major League Soccer side D.C. United signed Klich to a two-year Designated Player contract. He scored on his debut under head coach Wayne Rooney in a 3–2 win over Toronto FC on 25 February 2023.
D.C. United failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs in either of Klich’s two seasons with the club. He featured regularly as a midfield organiser but could not help the team break into the postseason picture.
Atlanta United (2025)
On 20 December 2024, D.C. United traded Klich to Atlanta United in exchange for Atlanta’s first-round pick in the 2025 MLS Draft. He joined a new squad looking to revitalise his minutes in Major League Soccer.
Atlanta United waived Klich on 21 July 2025, ending a six-month spell with the club. The release cleared the path for a return to his footballing roots in Poland.
Return to Cracovia (2025–Present)
On 13 August 2025, Klich agreed to join Cracovia on a two-year deal with an option for a third year. The move marked an emotional homecoming to the club where he began his professional career fourteen years earlier.
He currently wears squad number 43 at Cracovia and is expected to add leadership and creativity to the Ekstraklasa side’s midfield as the 2025–26 campaign progresses.
Driving Style and Strengths
Klich is best deployed as a deep-lying playmaker who links defence and attack with quick, accurate passing. He combines a strong passing range with intelligent movement off the ball, while his willingness to press and recover possession suits high-intensity systems. His rapport with Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds showcased his tactical discipline and ability to play in multiple midfield roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Klich’s signature moments, the 2013–14 KNVB Cup final stands out, along with his record-setting 11 chances created in an Eredivisie match for Utrecht in April 2018. He also scored a controversial goal against Aston Villa at Elland Road that led to Leeds voluntarily allowing an equaliser in the spirit of fair play, and won the EFL Championship Goal of the Month for November 2019.
Mateusz Klich Career Wins
Mateusz Andrzej Klich has collected major honours at club level, most notably the 2013–14 KNVB Cup with PEC Zwolle and the 2019–20 EFL Championship title with Leeds United. He has also earned individual recognition, including the EFL Championship Goal of the Month award and the Leeds United Goal of the Season award.
League and Cup Highlights
Klich won the 2013–14 KNVB Cup with PEC Zwolle after a 5–1 victory over Ajax in the final, a result that also delivered Europa League qualification. With Leeds United, he played a central role in the 2019–20 EFL Championship title-winning campaign, starting every league game under Marcelo Bielsa before earning promotion to the Premier League.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his major trophies, Klich has posted consistent statistical seasons, including 10 goals and 9 assists in 50 appearances during the 2018–19 Leeds United campaign and 6 goals with 4 assists in his first year at FC Twente. He also represented Poland at UEFA Euro 2020, highlighting his standing on the international stage.
Mateusz Klich Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Klich comes from a strong sporting family. His father, Wojciech Klich, is a former professional footballer who played 84 matches in the Polish first division and currently works as a youth coach at Cracovia. His mother, Małgorzata Klich, is a PE teacher and former Polish championship bronze medallist in 800m freestyle swimming.
His sister, Maja Klich, is a competitive swimmer, continuing the family’s athletic tradition across multiple sports.
Personal Life
Klich’s partner gave birth to their daughter, Laura, on 6 November 2018. He is known to have settled comfortably in each of his club cities and remains closely connected to his Polish roots. A supporter-favourite terrace chant at Leeds United, 40 Yards or 50 Yards, is a reworked version of The Beautiful South’s Rotterdam.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Klich at Atlanta United following his December 2024 trade from D.C. United. He featured for the club in the early months of the MLS campaign before being waived on 21 July 2025, ending a six-month spell in Atlanta.
Shortly after his release, Klich completed a return to Cracovia on 13 August 2025, signing a two-year deal with an option for a third year. The move gave him a chance to finish the calendar year with regular minutes in the Ekstraklasa and contribute experience to a youthful Cracovia squad.
Looking ahead, Klich is expected to play a leadership role in Cracovia’s midfield through the remainder of the 2025–26 season and into 2026, with his contract running until at least the summer of 2027 if the option year is exercised.