{{short description|Polish footballer (born 2006)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Karol Borys | fullname = Karol Krzysztof Borys<ref name=fifa>{{cite web|url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce115/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf|title=FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™|access-date=27 June 2024|website=fdp.fifa.org}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2006|September|28|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Otmuchów]], Poland<ref name="soccerway">{{Soccerway|id=karol-borys/821962|access-date=18 October 2022}}</ref> | height = 1.74 m<ref name="soccerway"/> | position = [[Midfielder (association football)|Midfielder]] | currentclub = [[NK Maribor|Maribor]]<br />(on loan from [[K.V.C. Westerlo|Westerlo]]) | clubnumber = 21 | youthyears1 = 2012–2013 | youthclubs1 = {{ill|Czarni Otmuchów|pl}} | youthyears2 = 2013–2022 | youthclubs2 = [[Śląsk Wrocław]] | years1 = 2022–2023 | clubs1 = [[Śląsk Wrocław II]] | caps1 = 13 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2022–2024 | clubs2 = [[Śląsk Wrocław]] | caps2 = 10 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2024– | clubs3 = [[K.V.C. Westerlo|Westerlo]] | caps3 = 4 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2024– | clubs4 = → [[NK Maribor|Maribor]] (loan) | caps4 = 25 | goals4 = 2 | nationalyears1 = 2021–2022 | nationalteam1 = [[Poland national under-16 football team|Poland U16]] | nationalcaps1 = 8 | nationalgoals1 = 5 | nationalyears2 = 2022–2023 | nationalteam2 = [[Poland national under-17 football team|Poland U17]] | nationalcaps2 = 19 | nationalgoals2 = 3 | nationalyears3 = 2023 | nationalteam3 = [[Poland national under-18 football team|Poland U18]] | nationalcaps3 = 5 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2024 | nationalteam4 = [[Poland national under-19 football team|Poland U19]] | nationalcaps4 = 8 | nationalgoals4 = 1 | nationalyears5 = 2025– | nationalteam5 = [[Poland national under-20 football team|Poland U20]] | nationalcaps5 = 5 | nationalgoals5 = 0 | nationalyears6 = 2024– | nationalteam6 = [[Poland national under-21 football team|Poland U21]] | nationalcaps6 = 1 | nationalgoals6 = 1 | club-update = 23 May 2026 | nationalteam-update = 31 March 2026 }} '''Karol Krzysztof Borys''' (born 28 September 2006) is a Polish professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[midfielder]] for [[Slovenian PrvaLiga]] club [[NK Maribor|Maribor]], on loan from [[Belgian Pro League]] club [[K.V.C. Westerlo|Westerlo]].<ref name="soccerway"/>
== Club career == Born in [[Otmuchów]], Borys started his career with hometown club Czarni Otmuchów, before joining the [[Śląsk Wrocław]] academy in 2013.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |date=19 Jan 2022 |title=15-letni Karol Borys ze Śląska Wrocław przejdzie testy w... Manchesterze United! |url=https://www.polsatsport.pl/wiadomosc/2022-01-19/15-letni-karol-borys-ze-slaska-wroclaw-przejdzie-testy-w-manchesterze-united/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=[[Polsat Sport]] |language=pl}}</ref> He signed his first professional contract there in October 2021,<ref name=":0" /> having previously attended a trial at [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kowalczyk |first=Hubert |date=16 Feb 2022 |title=15-latek z Polski na testach w Manchesterze United. Już spotkał się z nim Czesław Michniewicz |url=https://www.meczyki.pl/newsy/15-latek-z-polski-trenuje-w-manchesterze-united-juz-spotkal-sie-z-nim-czeslaw-michniewicz/182799-n |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Meczyki.pl |language=pl}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
On 21 May 2022, Borys made his professional debut for Śląsk's first team, coming on as a substitute in the last 20 minutes of a 4–3 home loss to [[Górnik Zabrze]] during the last matchday of the [[2021–22 Ekstraklasa|2021–22 season]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-05-21 |title=Debiut perełki. Najmłodszy zawodnik w historii klubu! |url=https://sport.tvp.pl/60311181/pko-ekstraklasa-karol-borys-najmlodszym-debiutantem-w-historii-slaska-wroclaw |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=[[Telewizja Polska]] |language=pl}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-30 |title=Pierwszy trener: Karol Borys |url=https://junior.weszlo.com/2022/08/30/pierwszy-trener-karol-borys/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=[[Weszło]] |language=pl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryś |first=Bartosz |date=2022-09-16 |title=15-letni Karol Borys z udanym debiutem w wyjściowej jedenastce Śląska Wrocław! |url=https://mymistrzowie.pl/15-letni-karol-borys-z-udanym-debiutem-w-wyjsciowej-jedenastce-slaska-wroclaw/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Mistrzowie Polski |language=pl-PL}}</ref> By doing so, he became the first player born in 2006 to appear in [[Ekstraklasa]] and displaced [[Mirosław Pękala]] as the youngest player in the history of the [[Silesia]]n club.<ref name=":1" />
On 11 October 2023, Borys was named by English newspaper ''[[The Guardian]]'' as one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/oct/11/next-generation-2023-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football|title=Next Generation 2023: 60 of the best young talents in world football|first1=Marcus|last1=Christenson|first2=Steven|last2=Bloor|first3=Garry|last3=Blight|date=11 October 2023|access-date=11 October 2023|website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In December of the same year, he reportedly attracted interest from several European clubs, including [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]] and [[PSV Eindhoven]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Partum |first=Antoni |date=28 December 2023 |title=Wielki polski talent dostał ofertę z Serie A. "Nie szanujemy się, jeśli odejdzie za taką kwotę" |url=https://www.sport.pl/pilka/7,65083,30546748,wielki-polski-talent-rozchwytywany-pojawila-sie-konkretna-oferta.html |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=Sport.pl |language=pl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Targetti |first=Federico |date=26 December 2023 |title=Fiorentina su Borys: 'Visiteremo il Viola Park'. Quel giorno allo United, ora c'è da battere il PSV |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/fiorentina-su-borys-visiteremo-il-viola-park-quel-giorno-allo-un-76938 |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=Calciomercato.com |language=it}}</ref>
On 1 February 2024, Belgian club [[K.V.C. Westerlo|Westerlo]] announced the signing of Borys on a two-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome Karol |url=https://kvcwesterlo.be/2024/02/01/welcome-karol/?_gl=1*1df0z4z*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTI4OTIxMzQxMC4xNzA2ODI2NTI5*_ga_QHZES2R3XV*MTcwNjgyNjUyOC4xLjAuMTcwNjgyNjUyOC4wLjAuMA.. |publisher=[[K.V.C. Westerlo|Westerlo]] |access-date=1 February 2024 |language=en |date=1 February 2024}}</ref> He made his debut for ''De Kemphanen'' on 31 March that year, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 [[2023–24 Belgian Pro League#Europe Play-offs|Europe play-off]] away loss against [[Sint-Truidense V.V.|Sint-Truiden]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Debiut Karola Borysa w KVC Westerlo |url=http://www.90minut.pl/news/331/news3313149-Debiut-Karola-Borysa-w-KVC-Westerlo.html |website=90minut.pl |access-date=31 March 2024 |language=pl |date=31 March 2024}}</ref> After the 2023–24 season, in which Borys made four appearances for Westerlo, he joined [[Slovenian PrvaLiga]] club [[NK Maribor|Maribor]] on a season-long loan with the option to make the transfer permanent.<ref>{{cite web |title=V LV se seli poljski čudežni deček |url=https://snportal.si/slovenska-tekmovanja/prva-liga/v-lv-se-seli-poljski-cudezni-decek/ |website=Slovenski nogometni portal |access-date=29 June 2024 |date=29 June 2024|language=sl}}</ref> He played 20 games for the club in all competitions in the first half of the season, before his season was cut short due to a serious injury.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maribor potrdil slabo novico: Mladi Karol Borys je utrpel hudo poškodbo, namesto na priprave v Turčijo mora pod nož |url=https://planetnogomet.si/novice/maribor-karol-borys-poskodba-operacija/ |website=Planet Nogomet |access-date=10 July 2025 |language=sl |date=10 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="loan2025">{{cite web |title=Karol Borys ostaja v Ljudskem vrtu: Maribor potrkal na vrata Belgijcev in mladega talenta še za leto dni zadržal na Štajerskem |url=https://planetnogomet.si/novice/karol-borys-maribor-se-1-leto-25/ |website=Planet Nogomet |access-date=10 July 2025 |language=sl |date=10 July 2025}}</ref> His loan at Maribor was then extended for another year in July 2025.<ref name="loan2025"/>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 23 May 2026}}<ref name="soccerway"/>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Polish Cup]], [[Slovenian Football Cup|Slovenian Cup]]}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=4|[[Śląsk Wrocław II]] |[[2021–22 II liga|2021–22]]<ref name="Sezon 2021/22">{{cite web |url=http://www.90minut.pl/wystepy.php?id=44514&id_sezon=99 |title=Sezon 2021/22 |publisher=90minut |access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref> |[[II liga]] |3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||0 |- |[[2022–23 II liga|2022–23]]<ref name="Sezon 2022/23">{{cite web |url=http://www.90minut.pl/wystepy.php?id=44514&id_sezon=101 |title=Sezon 2022/23 |publisher=90minut |access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref> |II liga |7||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||7||0 |- |[[2023–24 III liga|2023–24]]<ref name="Sezon 2023/24">{{cite web |url=http://www.90minut.pl/wystepy.php?id=44514&id_sezon=103 |title=Sezon 2023/24 |publisher=90minut |access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref> |[[III liga|III liga, gr. III]] |3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||3||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !13!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!13!!0 |- |rowspan=4|[[Śląsk Wrocław]] |[[2021–22 Ekstraklasa|2021–22]]<ref name="Sezon 2021/22"/> |[[Ekstraklasa]] |1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- |[[2022–23 Ekstraklasa|2022–23]]<ref name="Sezon 2022/23"/> |Ekstraklasa |6||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||7||0 |- |[[2023–24 Ekstraklasa|2023–24]]<ref name="Sezon 2023/24"/> |Ekstraklasa |3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||3||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !10!!0!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!11!!0 |- |[[K.V.C. Westerlo|Westerlo]] |[[2023–24 K.V.C. Westerlo season|2023–24]] |[[Belgian Pro League]] |4||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||4||0 |- |rowspan=3|[[NK Maribor|Maribor]] (loan) |[[2024–25 NK Maribor season|2024–25]] |[[Slovenian PrvaLiga]] |14||0||2||0||4{{efn|name=CON|Appearances in [[UEFA Conference League]]}}||0||20||0 |- |[[2025–26 Slovenian PrvaLiga|2025–26]] |Slovenian PrvaLiga |11||2||2||0||1{{efn|name=CON}}||0||14||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !25!!2!!4!!0!!5!!0!!34!!2 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !52!!2!!5!!0!!5!!0!!62!!2 |} {{notelist}}
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{90minut|44514}} *{{Soccerway|karol-borys/821962}}
{{NK Maribor squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Borys, Karol}} [[Category:2006 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Nysa County]] [[Category:Footballers from Opole Voivodeship]] [[Category:Polish men's footballers]] [[Category:Poland men's youth international footballers]] [[Category:Poland men's under-21 international footballers]] [[Category:Men's association football midfielders]] [[Category:Śląsk Wrocław players]] [[Category:KVC Westerlo players]] [[Category:NK Maribor players]] [[Category:II liga players]] [[Category:Ekstraklasa players]] [[Category:III liga players]] [[Category:Belgian Pro League players]] [[Category:Slovenian PrvaLiga players]] [[Category:Polish expatriate men's footballers]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium]] [[Category:Polish expatriate sportspeople in Belgium]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Slovenia]] [[Category:Polish expatriate sportspeople in Slovenia]] [[Category:21st-century Polish sportsmen]]