à Âukasz Marek Fabiaà Âski (born 18 April 1985) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club West Ham United.
Having begun his career at Legia Warsaw, Fabiaà Âski joined Arsenal for ã2.1 million in 2007, and was mainly used as back-up, but played as the club won the 2014 FA Cup final. On the expiration of his contract in 2014, he joined Swansea City, and played 150 total matches in four years. He then signed for West Ham for ã7 million.
A full international for Poland, Fabiaà Âski represented his country on 57 occasions. He was included in the squads for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008, Euro 2016, the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2020. He was named the Polish Footballer of the Year in 2018. He retired from the national team in August 2021, earning 57 caps from 2006 to 2021.
Fabiaà Âski was born in Kostrzyn nad OdrÃÂ, Lubusz Voivodeship. After starting his career with Polonia Sà Âubice, Fabiaà Âski joined the noted independent football academy MSP Szamotuà Ây at age 14, where he honed his footballing skills. Fabiaà Âski then was signed in the 2004âÂÂ05 season by Lech Poznaà Â.
In the winter of 2005, Fabiaà Âski was signed by Legia Warsaw, where he competed with Artur Boruc for a place in the team. After Boruc was sold to Celtic, Fabiaà Âski took over as starting goalkeeper on 24 July 2005 in a match against Arka Gdynia, which ended 0âÂÂ0. The following season, he helped Legia win the 2005âÂÂ06 Ekstraklasa. He started all 30 matches of the campaign, in which he conceded 17 goals.
In the 2005âÂÂ06 and 2006âÂÂ07 seasons, his performances led to him being awarded the "Football Oscar" for the best goalkeeper in the Ekstraklasa.
On 8 May 2007, Fabiaà Âski underwent medical tests in London after Arsenal agreed a transfer fee with Legia Warsaw worth approximately ã2.1 million. The move was confirmed on 11 May 2007 by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. Fabiaà Âski formally signed for Arsenal on 26 May with a long-term contract. He made his debut for the club in a 2âÂÂ0 League Cup win over Newcastle United on 25 September 2007. His league debut followed later that season against Derby County.
In Fabiaà Âski's early Arsenal career, two of his most notable appearances came in the 5âÂÂ1 defeat to rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the 2007âÂÂ08 League Cup semi-final and the first leg of the 2009âÂÂ10 UEFA Champions League second round match with Porto. Fabiaà Âski received criticism for conceding soft goals in the Porto match as he scored an own goal and was blamed for the second goal after picking up a backpass from Sol Campbell, with Porto scoring from the resulting free-kick. In January 2010, Arsène Wenger stated that à Âukasz Fabiaà Âski could become one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Fabiaà Âski played the last four matches for Arsenal in the 2009âÂÂ10 season after top-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia suffered a wrist injury. He was criticised for conceding soft goals in the defeats to Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers, but kept clean sheets in the matches at home to Manchester City and Fulham.
Fabiaà Âski started the 2010âÂÂ11 season as Arsenal's second-choice goalkeeper. On 21 September 2010, he made his first start of the season in a League Cup match against neighbours Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, which Arsenal won 4âÂÂ1 after extra time. Fabiaà Âski almost cost the match for Arsenal as he failed to stop Robbie Keane's long-range effort, despite getting a hand to the shot. After the match, he revealed he was disappointed. He had a solid match in his second match of the season replacing the injured Manuel Almunia one week later in a UEFA Champions League 3âÂÂ1 away win against Partizan. He saved Cléo's second penalty of the match in the second half to deny Partizan a lifeline. He later turned Ivica Iliev's effort around the post from point-blank range just before the final whistle. Arsène Wenger later commented that Fabiaà Âski had a "faultless" match and they finally saw the player who they usually see in training. He kept his first clean sheet in a win over Manchester City, where he made many saves in a match that ended 3âÂÂ0. He was later named man of the match on an Arsenal.com poll after a brilliant display to keep Arsenal in the match. After the City match, Wenger admitted he could well become the club's number one goalkeeper after impressive displays in the matches since the Partizan match.
On 7 November 2010, Fabiaà Âski was widely criticised for an error that lead to the only goal as Arsenal lost at home to Newcastle United. However, he produced a strong display to keep a clean sheet in the next Premier League match, against Wolverhampton Wanderers, in which he managed to prevent a draw with a last-minute save, and then initiating a counter-attack with a long throw of the ball that led to another Arsenal goal. After the Wolves match, Arsenal played Everton, where Fabiaà Âski received the man of the match award from Sky Sports.
Fabiaà Âski was injured for Arsenal's crucial match with Manchester United but returned for the equally important match with London rivals Chelsea, making many crucial saves in helping Arsenal to win 3âÂÂ1. On 5 January 2011, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury as he was warming up with the help of Wojciech SzczÃÂsny, which ruled him out for the remainder of the 2010âÂÂ11 season. During this period, SzczÃÂsny established himself as Arsenal's first choice goalkeeper ahead of his Polish compatriot.
Fabiaà Âski spent the 2011âÂÂ12 season as backup to Wojciech SzczÃÂsny, making his first appearance against Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup.
On 6 December 2011, Fabiaà Âski was selected to start in Arsenal's UEFA Champions League group stage match against Olympiacos, but was substituted out after 25 minutes following a knee injury.
Injuries limited Fabiaà Âski's appearances during the 2012âÂÂ13 season, where he made only four Premier League appearances as back-up to Wojciech SzczÃÂsny. In March 2013, after SzczÃÂsny was dropped, Fabiaà Âski started in goal in the second-leg of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League tie against Bayern Munich. He kept a clean sheet as Arsenal won 2âÂÂ0 and retained his place in the team to make his first Premier League start of the season away against Swansea City on 16 March 2013, again keeping a clean sheet in a 2âÂÂ0 win. Fabiaà Âski started in Arsenal's next three league matches against Reading, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City. However, an injury sustained in the match against Norwich by Fabiaà Âski allowed SzczÃÂsny to return to the starting line-up and reclaim his position as first-choice goalkeeper.
During the 2013âÂÂ14 season, Fabiaà Âski was used as Arsenal's starting goalkeeper in FA Cup and League Cup matches, with SzczÃÂsny remaining first-choice in Premier League and UEFA Champions League matches.
On 19 February 2014, Fabiaà Âski came on as a substitute in the 37th minute of a 2âÂÂ0 Champions League home defeat against Bayern Munich, after SzczÃÂsny was sent off for a foul on Arjen Robben. With SzczÃÂsny suspended, Fabiaà Âski was in the starting line-up for the second leg and saved a late penalty from Bayern's Thomas Müller.
On 12 April, Fabiaà Âski saved penalties from Gary Caldwell and Jack Collison in an FA Cup semi-final shootout victory over Wigan Athletic. He made his only Premier League appearance of the season in the last match on 11 May, keeping a clean sheet in a 2âÂÂ0 away win that caused his opponents Norwich City to be relegated. Six days later, Fabiaà Âski started for Arsenal in the 2014 FA Cup Final as they defeated Hull City 3âÂÂ2 after extra time at Wembley Stadium.
On 29 May 2014, it was announced that Fabiaà Âski would join fellow Premier League side Swansea City on a free transfer when his Arsenal contract expired on 1 July. He said of the transfer, "The main reason I came to Swansea was because I want to be the number one goalkeeper." He made his competitive debut for the club on 16 August, a 2âÂÂ1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the first match of the Premier League season. On 7 December 2014, Fabiaà Âski was sent off in Swansea's 1âÂÂ3 loss at West Ham United for a foul on Diafra Sakho. On 11 May 2015, Fabiaà Âski kept a clean sheet and was named man of the match in a 1âÂÂ0 win against Arsenal on his return to the Emirates Stadium. On 6 July, Fabiaà Âski signed a new four-year contract with Swansea, which would keep him at the club until June 2019. Fabiaà Âski played all 38 of Swansea's Premier League games of 2017âÂÂ18 and was voted Player of the Season by the club's supporters. His performances did not prevent the club from ending the season 18th and they were relegated to the Championship.
On 20 June 2018, Premier League club West Ham United announced the transfer of Fabiaà Âski for ã7 million. He signed a three-year contract with the club. Fabiaà Âski, the first Pole to play first-team football for West Ham, was installed as first-choice 'keeper at the start of the 2018âÂÂ19 season. On 4 December 2018, Fabiaà Âski saved his first penalty as a West Ham goalkeeper, saving Joe Ralls' effort in a 3âÂÂ1 win against Cardiff City. For his performances throughout the season, during which he was ever-present, he was named Hammer of the Year.
In September 2019, he suffered a hip injury. During his absence, Roberto and David Martin deputised for Fabiaà Âski.
In March 2021, Fabiaà Âski extended his contract with West Ham until June 2022.
On 12 January 2022, Fabianski made his 300th Premier League appearance in a 2âÂÂ0 victory over Norwich City, the first player from Poland to reach this landmark.
In July 2022, he signed a further contract extension, until the summer of 2023. On 19 October 2022, he made his 150th West Ham United appearance, in a 1âÂÂ0 Premier League defeat at Liverpool. After having started all 24 of West Ham's Premier League games in the 2022âÂÂ23 season, on 25 February 2023 he fractured his cheekbone and eye socket in a home game against Nottingham Forest. He had to come off in the 69th minute and was replaced by Alphonse Areola. During the season he started 36 Premier League matches and kept ten clean sheets. He also made one FA Cup appearance, his first since their relegation 2020âÂÂ21 season. Fabiaà Âski saved two penalties during the season, from Leicester City's Youri Tielemans and from Bukayo Saka of Arsenal. During the season he started 36 Premier League matches and kept ten clean sheets. He also made one FA Cup appearance, his first since the 2020âÂÂ21 season. On 7 June 2023, he was an unused substitute as West Ham won the 2022âÂÂ23 Europa Conference League beating Fiorentina in Prague.
Having won the previous season's Europa Conference League, West Ham competed in the 2023âÂÂ24 Europa League. Fabiaà Âski was widely used in the competition making his first appearance of the season in the home leg against FK TSC in September 2023. He captained the team in UEFA Europa League Group A wins home and away against SC Freiburg, at home to Olympiacos and away at FK TSC. He started all four UEFA Europa League knockout round ties, away at and home to SC Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen. He made 23 appearances with 20 starts, and six clean sheets in all competitions and finished the season having made 199 West Ham United appearances.
On 9 May 2025, it was announced that Fabiaà Âski would leave the club at the end of his contract on 30 June. He played his final match with the club, 25 May 2025 against Ipswich Town winning 3âÂÂ1. He had made 17 appearances in all competitions during the season, 14 in the Premier League, two in the League Cup and a single game in the FA Cup. His time with West Ham saw him make 216 appearances over seven seasons.
On 10 September 2025, Fabiaà Âski rejoined the club in the wake of the departure of Wes Foderingham.
Having represented Poland regularly at under-21 level, Fabiaà Âski's performances for Legia Warsaw saw him soon making his debut for the senior international team in a friendly against Saudi Arabia on 29 March 2006.
Fabiaà Âski was included in Poland's squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, serving as back-up to Artur Boruc and Tomasz Kuszczak. During the qualifying campaign for the UEFA Euro 2008, he made one appearance, playing all 90 minutes in Poland's 2âÂÂ2 away draw against Serbia on 21 November 2007. In September 2008, Fabiaà Âski replaced the suspended Boruc for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Slovenia. He also played in another qualifying match against San Marino in April 2009. He was widely seen to be the starting goalkeeper for Poland in the UEFA Euro 2012, before an injury had him ruled out for the tournament held in his home country.
Despite going into UEFA Euro 2016 as an understudy to former Arsenal teammate Wojciech SzczÃÂsny, an injury in the first game of the tournament against Northern Ireland led to Fabiaà Âski becoming first choice for the rest of the tournament. He went on to keep clean sheets in both of the remaining group games against World champions Germany and Ukraine. He then kept his place as Poland defeated Switzerland in the Round of 16 before losing to eventual winners Portugal on penalties.
Fabiaà Âski made seven appearances for Poland in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He was also included in the team's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, although SzczÃÂsny was chosen over him to start the first two group matches, where Poland suffered losses to Senegal and Colombia. Fabiaà Âski started the final group match against Japan to make his only World Cup appearance, keeping a clean sheet in Poland's 1âÂÂ0 win, which proved to be too little to prevent the team's elimination from the tournament. He was also included in Poland's squad for the UEFA Euro 2020, but made no appearances as the team suffered another early elimination after only scoring a point in their three group matches.
In August 2021, Fabiaà Âski announced his retirement from international football. The following month, he accepted a call-up for his farewell match, a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification fixture against San Marino on 9 October 2021. Fabiaà Âski started the game and was substituted in the 57th minute by Radosà Âaw Majecki of the eventual 5âÂÂ0 home win, officially ending his international career with 57 caps.
Legia Warsaw
Arsenal
West Ham United
Individual
Fabiaà Âski has been in a long term relationship with Anna Grygier, who he has known since high school. The couple got married in 2013 and had their first child together, a son, in 2015.
Fabiaà Âski is a fan of basketball and enjoys playing in his spare time.