Mateusz Skrzypczak with a new contract

The young player spent a majority of his life involved with the club from Poznan, one way or another. “I joined Lech when I was 5 years old. Back then, I was a ball boy, an escort for the first team footballers, and a regular match attendee. I have been actively supporting the team and even travelled to away games. See, that’s the most amazing thing – only a couple of months ago, those players I am now teammates with, I was supporting from the stands together with my friends,” explained Skrzypczak during the winter pre-season camp in Belek.

The recent winter training camp was his first A-team grouping. Previously, the youngster trained with the Academy, and later with Lech’s reserves team. Skrzypczak joined the B-team in spring 2017, back when Ivan Djurdjevic coached the side. Since then, he played in 15 games in the third division and scored one goal during this season’s opening game against Baltyk Koszalin. His debut goal in professional football was somewhat a result of his new role on the pitch – the defensive midfielder – which he has also been assigned since joining the first team.

“I think that my physique comes in handy in the midfield where there are direct clashes on the ground as well as in the air. My technical skills are also useful when playing as a defensive midfielder. I have a lot to work on, especially because in the midfield everything happens significantly faster than in the defense. I feel more comfortable as ‘no. 6’, however, I can also play as a center-back,” emphasized Skrzypczak.

The player could have had appeared on the third-division pitches more frequently if it wasn’t for him supporting the Older Juniors squad in season 2017/18 when the team won the Polish Championship in their age category. During that season, he was one of the players with most caps. The articles published on the club’s website described Skrzypczak as, “good at recovering the ball, resilient, skilful at defending. One of the leaders of the team that just won the title.”

Nonetheless, the footballer himself emphasizes that his ambitions go further than simply training with the first team and competing for the B-side. “When I was younger, I dreamt of everything I am experiencing now. I’m very happy because I have only ever worn Lech’s shirt and now I am exactly where I always wanted to be. I am focusing on what’s ahead – I want to keep on working hard and go even further,” explained Lech’s homegrown players.

The 18-year-old knows very well that at this stage of his career, patience is an essential skill and that it will take time for him to win a strong position in Nawalka’s squad. Skrzypczak highlights that he’s well aware of all that and knows that composure is the key. “I believe that you should always aim high and want more. Of course, for the time being it’s hard for me to expect to play in the first team where so many players have significantly more experience than me, but that doesn’t discourage me; quite frankly it’s the opposite – I want to keep on working hard, progress, and whenever the opportunity comes along, I will be ready,” added Skrzypczak.