Szymon Żurkowski

2.1. Youth career

Żurkowski spent his formative years in youth football, starting with MOSiR Jastrzębie Zdrój. He later joined the youth ranks of Gwarek Zabrze from 2012 to 2014, where he further honed his abilities as a budding professional footballer.

2.2. Professional debut and early club career

Żurkowski commenced his senior professional career at Gwarek Zabrze, where he played from 2014 to 2016, making 30 appearances and scoring 7 goals. In the summer of 2016, he transferred to Górnik Zabrze. During the 2016-17 season, he played 15 matches for Górnik Zabrze II in the III liga without scoring, and made 9 appearances, scoring 1 goal, for the main Górnik Zabrze team in the I liga.

In the 2017-18 Ekstraklasa season, he made 34 league appearances, scoring 2 goals, and played in 4 cup matches, scoring 1 goal. The following season, 2018-19, saw him play in 31 Ekstraklasa matches, netting 3 goals. He also made 3 appearances in the Polish Cup, scoring 2 goals, and featured in 3 matches in the UEFA Europa League. Across his tenure with Górnik Zabrze, he accumulated 74 league appearances and 6 goals, along with 7 cup appearances (3 goals) and 3 European appearances.

3.1. ACF Fiorentina and initial loan spells

On 28 January 2019, Żurkowski made a significant move to Italian Serie A club Fiorentina, signing a contract that was set to last until 30 June 2023. However, it was also announced that he would remain on loan at his former club, Górnik Zabrze, for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.

Following his return to Italy, on 30 January 2020, Żurkowski joined Empoli on a loan deal until the end of that season. His stay at Empoli was extended on 1 September 2020, with another loan spell set to conclude at the end of the 2021-22 season. During these initial loan periods with Empoli, he gained valuable experience, particularly in Serie B and later in Serie A.

3.2. Spezia Calcio

On 12 January 2023, Żurkowski moved to Spezia on a loan deal which included an obligation for the club to purchase him permanently. During his first half-season with Spezia in the 2022-23 Serie A campaign, he played in 11 matches. In the 2023-24 season, playing for Spezia in Serie B, he made 16 league appearances and participated in 1 cup match.

3.3. Return to Empoli

Żurkowski made his third return to Empoli on 9 January 2024, joining on a loan deal for the remainder of the season. Just four days after his transfer, he marked his debut by scoring a goal in a 2-1 loss against Hellas Verona. A notable highlight of this spell came on 21 January 2024, when he scored his first career hat-trick in a commanding 3-0 victory over Monza. This achievement was particularly significant as he became the first Polish player in history to score a hat-trick in Serie A.

Following the conclusion of his loan spell and a brief return to Spezia, Żurkowski was once again sent on loan to Empoli on 31 July 2024. This fourth loan agreement included an option for Empoli to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season, underscoring his recurring role with the club.

4.1. Youth national teams

Żurkowski was an integral part of the Polish U21 squad. From September 2017 to March 2018, during the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification campaign, he featured in five out of the six group games, scoring one goal. He also participated in the main 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship tournament. Throughout his career with the U21 national team, he earned a total of 13 appearances and scored 2 goals.

4.2. Senior national team

In May 2018, Żurkowski was initially named in the 35-man provisional squad for the Polish national team ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, he was not included in the final 23-man squad for the tournament.

He made his debut for the senior national team on 24 March 2022, starting in a friendly match against the Scotland national team. Later that year, Żurkowski was included in Poland's final 23-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Despite being part of the squad, he did not feature in any matches during the tournament. As of early 2024, he has made 7 appearances for the senior national team.

5.1. Club statistics

5.2. International statistics

6.1. Club honours

With Empoli, Żurkowski contributed to the club's success by winning the following:

• Serie B: 2020-21

6.2. Individual honours

Żurkowski's individual performances have been recognized with these awards:

• Polish Newcomer of the Year: 2017
• Ekstraklasa Discovery of the Season: 2017-18