An offensive midfielder, Kazimierz Deyna is often considered the greatest ever Polish footballer. He started in 1966 for ŁKS Łódź but was quickly acquired by Legia Warszawa. He played with Legia through 1978, before moving to the English Premier League with Manchester City for three years. He finished his career in the United States, playing from 1981-84 with the San Diego Sockers and through 1987 with their indoor team. While in the US Deyna appeared in the soccer movie “Escape to Victory.”
In addition to his 1972 Olympic gold medal, where he was the tournament’s leading scorer, Deyna won a bronze medal at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. He was on the Polish National team from 1968-78, earning 91 caps and scoring 47 goals. In 1994 Deyna was voted by the Polish Football Association (PZPN) as the greatest Polish Football Player of all-time. His number 10 was retired by Legia Warszawa and the San Diego Sockers. Deyna died very young, at age 41, in a car accident in San Diego.
Poland