Emmanuel Olisadebe Courtesy of Facebook.com/emmanuelolisadebe

Former Polonia Warszawa and Poland striker Emmanuel Olisadebe decided to call time on his professional career at the start of 2013. The 34-year-old, who was born in Warri, Nigeria became an unlikely hero in Poland after he was signed by Polonia from Nigerian side Jasper United in 1997.

After a quiet start to his Ekstraklasa career, Mr Olisadebe went on to play a leading role in the most successful period in Polonia's history, helping them to win the 1999/2000 Ekstraklasa title, the team's first in 50 years, as well as the Polish League Cup, Polish Super Cup and one year later, the Polish Cup. Known for his lightning pace, Mr Olisadebe scored 12 league goals during the title-winning campaign, including the only goal in a 1-0 away win over arch rival Legia Warszawa.

His success in Warsaw did not go unnoticed and in 2000 he was offered Polish citizenship, enabling him to represent his adopted nation's national team in the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign. It was a move that ultimately helped secure Poland's first World Cup appearance in 16 years, as he scored eight times to help Poland top its group. He then went on to score the opener in a 3-1 victory over the United States in the group stages of the final tournament.

"I am very grateful to Poland," Mr Olisadebe told UEFA.com. "I started my proper career here, met my wife and played for the national team. I will never forget this beautiful experience."

He went on to play for Greek side Panathinaikos, also helping them win a league title before injuries blighted the later part of his career. But despite some suggesting he failed to fulfill his full potential, the former Polonia man declared himself happy with his achievements.

"If it weren't for the knee injuries, I could have done better, but I am still satisfied with what I achieved," he said. "I am a boy from Nigeria who went to do something in Europe and pulled it off. I have a lot of fantastic moments in my memory and nobody can take them away from me," he said.

David Ingham