Mikołaj Olędzki
Mikołaj Olędzki (usually Anglicised to Mikolaj Oledzki) (born 8 November 1998) is an England international rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League.[3] Oledzki has spent time on loan from Leeds at the Bradford Bulls and Featherstone Rovers in the Championship. BackgroundOledzki was born in Gdańsk. He then moved to the UK when he was nine years old. Oledzki's family settled initially in Corby, Northamptonshire. He then began to excel at swimming, appearing for Northamptonshire's county team from a young age. But when they moved closer to his uncle in Leeds, he discovered rugby league.[4] He is the only Polish rugby league footballer to play in the Super League, and the second Polish player to the play the professional game ever, after rugby union player Grzegorz Kacała briefly switched to league to play for Paris St-Germain in 1996.[4] Playing careerLeeds RhinosIn 2017 he made his début for Leeds against Doncaster in the fifth round of the Challenge Cup, scoring a try in the 63rd minute of a 64–28 win. On 17 October 2020, he played in the 2020 Challenge Cup Final victory for Leeds over Salford at Wembley Stadium.[5] He played a total of 15 games for Leeds in the 2021 Super League season including the club's 36–8 loss against St Helens in the semi-final.[6] On 24 September 2022, he played for Leeds in their 24-12 loss to St Helens RFC in the 2022 Super League Grand Final.[7] Oledzki was named in the 2022 Betfred Super League Dream Team at prop Oledzki played a total of 21 games for Leeds in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished 8th on the table and missed the playoffs.[8] Oledzki played 21 matches for Leeds in the 2024 Super League which saw the club finish 8th on the table.[9] Bradford BullsHe joined Bradford on a loan deal in February 2017. He made 20 appearances for the club[10] and scored in the 30–16 win over Swinton Lions.[11] Featherstone RoversWhile on a dual-registration Oledzki has played for Featherstone Rovers during the season 2017, and 2018.[citation needed] International careerIn July 2018, he was selected in the England Knights Performance squad.[12] Later that year he was selected for the England Knights on their tour of Papua New Guinea. He played against Papua New Guinea at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.[13] In 2019, he was selected for the England Knights against Jamaica at Headingley Rugby Stadium.[14] In October 2021, he made his Test debut for England against France.[15] He was named in England's World Cup squad.[16] Personal lifeHe attended Mount St. Mary's Catholic High School in Leeds between 2010 and 2015. He studied at Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form in Leeds and won their 'Sports Person of the Year Award' for his efforts in the sport of Rugby League with the Leeds Rhinos.[citation needed] In January 2018, Oledzki announced via Instagram that he and his partner are expecting their first child.[citation needed] References
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