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Date of Birth: 23/03/1973
Height: 6' 1
Weight: 12st 7lb
Characteristics: Poland international goalkeeper
Former clubs: Sokol Tychy, Feyenoord
Birth Place: Rybnik, Poland
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The son of a Polish miner, Poland international keeper Jerzy Dudek signed for Liverpool on the last day of August 2001.
Widely regarded as a brave keeper with strong relaxes, Dudek is the first Pole to move to Liverpool.
He was linked with Arsenal in the summer of 2001, but an £8.5 million deal fell through when the Gunners signed Richard Wright instead. Everton also expressed an interest but a move never materialised and he remained at the Dutch club until Gerard Houllier swooped.
Jerzy made his first team debut for Sokol Tychy during the 1995/96 season but after only playing 15 games for them, Dutch side Feyenoord recognised his outstanding potential and pounced to get their man.
Dudek was seen as a long-term successor to current Chelsea goalkeeper Ed De Goey and he quickly became a cult hero in Rotterdam, and during the 1998/99 season was voted the best keeper in the Dutch League.
Indeed, legendary Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker rates Dudek as 'the best goalkeeper I've seen in 30 years'.
Dudek made his international debut as a substitute for Poland in February 1998 against Israel in Tel Aviv, but couldn't prevent his side losing 2-0.
His eye-catching performances for Feyenoord and Poland thrust him into the spotlight before Gerard Houllier pounced to bring him to
Anfield.