| Karol Borys | |
| Fullname: | Karol Krzysztof Borys[1] |
| Birth Date: | 28 September 2006 |
| Birth Place: | Otmuchów, Poland |
| Height: | 1.74 m |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Currentclub: | Maribor (on loan from Westerlo) |
| Clubnumber: | 21 |
| Youthyears1: | 2012–2013 |
| Youthyears2: | 2013–2022 |
| Youthclubs2: | Śląsk Wrocław |
| Years1: | 2022–2023 |
| Clubs1: | Śląsk Wrocław II |
| Caps1: | 13 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2022–2024 |
| Clubs2: | Śląsk Wrocław |
| Caps2: | 10 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2024– |
| Clubs3: | Westerlo |
| Caps3: | 4 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2024– |
| Clubs4: | → Maribor (loan) |
| Caps4: | 3 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2021–2022 |
| Nationalteam1: | Poland U16 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 8 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 5 |
| Nationalyears2: | 2022–2023 |
| Nationalteam2: | Poland U17 |
| Nationalcaps2: | 19 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 3 |
| Nationalyears3: | 2023 |
| Nationalteam3: | Poland U18 |
| Nationalcaps3: | 5 |
| Nationalgoals3: | 0 |
| Nationalyears4: | 2024– |
| Nationalteam4: | Poland U21 |
| Nationalcaps4: | 1 |
| Nationalgoals4: | 1 |
| Club-Update: | 18 August 2024 |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 18 August 2024 |
Karol Krzysztof Borys (born 28 September 2006) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Slovenian PrvaLiga club Maribor, on loan from Belgian Pro League club Westerlo.
Born in Otmuchów, Borys started his career with hometown club Czarni Otmuchów, before joining the Śląsk Wrocław academy in 2013.[2] He signed his first professional contract there in October 2021, having previously attended a trial at Manchester United.[3]
On 21 May 2022, Borys made his professional debut for Śląsk's first team, coming on as a substitute in the last 20 minutes of a 4–3 home loss to Górnik Zabrze during the last matchday of the 2021–22 season.[4] [5] [6] By doing so, he became the first player born in 2006 to appear in Ekstraklasa and displaced Mirosław Pękala as the youngest player in the history of the Silesian club.
On 11 October 2023, Borys was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide.[7] In December of the same year, he reportedly attracted interest from several European clubs, including Fiorentina and PSV Eindhoven.[8] [9]
On 1 February 2024, Belgian club Westerlo announced the signing of Borys on a two-and-a-half-year contract.[10] He made his debut for De Kemphanen on 31 March that year, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 Europe play-off away loss against Sint-Truiden.[11] After the 2023–24 season, in which Borys made four appearances for Westerlo, he joined Slovenian PrvaLiga club Maribor on a season-long loan with the option to make the transfer permanent.[12]