Rafał Gikiewicz

Rafał Gikiewicz (born 26 October 1987) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ekstraklasa club Widzew Łódź.

Club career
Gikiewicz was born in Olsztyn. In July 2008, he moved to Jagiellonia Białystok. In August 2010, he was loaned to OKS 1945 Olsztyn on a one-year deal. He returned to Jagiellonia Białystok half a year later.

In January 2011, he joined Śląsk Wrocław on 4.5-year contract.

In April 2014, German club Eintracht Braunschweig announced the signing of Gikiewicz for the 2014–15 season. In August 2016, Gikiewicz transferred to Freiburg.

In June 2018, Gikiewicz moved to Union Berlin signing a two-year contract. The transfer fee paid to Freiburg was reported as €200,000. On 7 October 2018, Gikiewicz scored a 94th-minute equalizer against 1. FC Heidenheim in the 2. Bundesliga. On 1 July 2020, he signed with Bundesliga club FC Augsburg.

Over three weeks after his contract with Augsburg had expired, on 22 July 2023, Gikiewicz joined Turkish side Ankaragücü on a one-year deal with an option for another season. On 1 February 2024, he left the club by mutual consent.

On 13 February 2024, Gikiewicz returned to Poland to join Widzew Łódź until the end of the season, with an option to extend his deal for another year. Brought in as a replacement for the injured Ivan Krajčírik who joined Widzew just a month prior, Gikiewicz enjoyed a good start to his stint. He recorded four clean sheets in 11 league games before having his deal extended for a further year on 10 May.

International career
Due to his successful career in Union Berlin, in May 2019 he received his first call-up to the Poland national team for the first time, during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying Group G matches against North Macedonia and Israel, but remained unused on the bench.

Personal life
His twin brother Łukasz Gikiewicz is also a footballer.

Gikiewicz follows a vegan diet.

Club
1 Including Ekstraklasa Cup.

2 Including Polish Super Cup.

3 Including Bundesliga promotion play-offs.

Honours
Jagiellonia Białystok
 * Polish Cup: 2009–10

Śląsk Wrocław
 * Ekstraklasa: 2011–12
 * Polish Super Cup: 2012