D.C. United signs Poland international Mateusz Klitsch from Leeds United as a Designated Player
Washington, D.C. (January 12, 2023) – DC United has signed Polish midfielder Mateusz Klitsch from Leeds United in the English Premier League. Clich will join the club as a designated player (DP) pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Black-and-Red signed Klich to a two-year contract through 2024 with an option in 2025.
“Matthews is a first-class midfielder who will add top-level experience to our roster,” said D.C. United head coach Wayne Rooney. “I have been watching him since he helped lead Leeds to promotion to the Premier League and his vision, passing range and goalscoring ability will be a huge asset for us this season.”
Clich joined the Black and Red after spending the previous four seasons with Leeds United in the Premier League. He was instrumental in helping them secure a return to the Premier League in 2020. Clich made his debut for Leeds in the first round of the EFL Cup on 9 August 2017 in a 4-1 win over Port Vale. of the English Football League Two, English fourth tier. The midfielder scored his first goal for the West Yorkshire club on August 5, 2018 in a 3-1 win over Stoke City in the first match of the 2018/19 Championship season, English Second Division. Clich finished that season playing in 50 matches for Leeds United, scoring 10 goals and recording nine assists. The following season, Clich played in 47 matches for Leeds United, scoring seven goals and five assists on his way to becoming champions of the English Championship and gain promotion to the Premier League. During his time with Leeds United, the Polish midfielder scored 24 goals and recorded 21 assists in 195 appearances in all competitions.
“This season has been important for us to analyze our roster and see where we can make improvements after a disappointing 2022 season,” said Dave Casper, DC United’s Head of Football Operations. “Bringing in a specific first-class player was high on our priority list and Matthews played at the highest levels for both club and country. He will add plenty of experience in midfield and be an impact player for us this season and beyond. We are excited to welcome him to the nation’s capital.”
Prior to joining Leeds United, Klitsch signed with German First Division club Wolfsburg from Polish club Krakow on 1 July 2011 as the third highest transfer in the club’s history, worth €1.5 million. Clich was then loaned out to PEC Zwolle of the Eredivisie Division, on 31 January 2013 before being sold permanently on 1 July 2013. Clich played in 48 matches for PEC Zwolle, scoring six goals with 12 assists. And win the Dutch Cup. After a year, he was sold back to Wolfsburg on 1 July 2014 where he was transferred to 1. FC Kaiserslautern of the German second division. Klitsch made his debut for the German side on 14 February 2015 in a 1-0 win over VfR Aalen. The midfielder managed to score four goals and make two assists in 23 matches for 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Klisch was subsequently sold to Dutch First Division side FC Twente Enschede on 26 August 2016. The Polish international made his debut for FC Twente Enschede on 10 September 2016 in a 3-1 loss against Heerenveen. During his time with the Dutch club, Clich played in 30 matches, scoring six goals and recording four assists, before being sold to Leeds United on July 1, 2017.
Klisch played for Poland’s U-18, U-19, U-20 and U-21 teams before making his senior national team appearance on 5 June 2011 in a 2-1 friendly win over Argentina. The midfielder scored two goals and recorded four assists in 41 matches for Poland. His first goal and assist came in an international friendly 3-2 against Denmark on 14 August 2013 when he scored the first goal and set up the decisive third goal. Klich was part of Poland’s World Cup qualifying squads in both 2013 and 2021. In 2013, Klich played in four World Cup Qualifying matches in Poland in Group H against Montenegro, San Marino, Ukraine and England. In 2021, the midfielder played in four World Cup qualifiers in Poland in Group A against San Marino, Albania, Andorra and Hungary. He was pivotal in the 1-0 win over Albania on 12 October 2021 when he provided the assist for the only goal in the 77th minute. Klech was instrumental in Poland’s Euro 2019 qualification playing in eight out of 10 matches and helped Poland top Group G with 25 points . His final appearance for Poland came in a 2-0 defeat against the Netherlands on 22 September 2022 in the UEFA Nations League.
The 32-year-old started his professional career with Krakow in the Polish First Division (PKO Ekstraklasa) after being promoted from their youth academy in 2008. Klisch made his debut at the age of 18 in a match against GKS Belchatow on November 11. 7, 2008. He became a regular in the Krakow midfield, scoring his first goal and providing the assist for the club on November 28, 2009 in a 3-2 win over Piast Gliwice. Over three seasons, Klisch played in 58 matches for Cracovia, scoring five goals and recording 12 assists.
place of birth: Tarnow, Poland
condition: specific player
procesDC United signs Poland international Mateusz Klitsch from Leeds United on a permanent transfer. Clich will join the club as a designated player pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Black-and-Red signed Klich to a two-year contract through 2024 with an option in 2025.