Dariusz Żuraw is a Polish

Poles

thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...

 professional footballer who plays for Arka Gdynia

Arka Gdynia

Morski Związkowy Klub Sportowy Arka Gdynia is a Polish professional football club, based in Gdynia, Poland, that plays in the Polish 1 Liga. The club was founded as Klub Sportowy Gdynia in 1929. Its activities were interrupted between 1939–1945 due to the German occupation of Poland...

 in the Polish Ekstraklasa.

Club career

Żuraw began his career in his native Poland, playing for a succession of lower league teams: LZS Ostrówek, LZS Rychłocice, WKS Wieluń, Okocimski KS Brzesko, Zagłębie Lubin.

He was spotted by Hannover 96

Hannover 96

Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...

, then of 2. Bundesliga

2. Fußball-Bundesliga

- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...

, and moved there on October 24, 2001, making his debut on November 28, 2001, in a DFB Cup tie against VfL Wolfsburg II. He immediately enjoyed success, as the club won promotion, comfortably finishing as champions.

Żuraw's first game at the top level was also a memorable occasion as he scored after just 6 minutes against Hamburger SV

Hamburger SV

Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...

.

He was a regular fixture in defence during his seven seasons with Hannover 96; in 2004/2005, he was just one game away from being an ever-present (as suspension ruled him out).

In 2008, he transferred to the Polish Ekstraklasa club Arka Gdynia, on a free transfer from Hannover 96.

International career

Żuraw has made one appearance for the full Poland national football team

Poland national football team

The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...

, in a 1-3 friendly defeat to Belarus on February 9, 2005.

Trivia

• His nickname within the club is 'Darek'
• He is married to wife Justyna and has three children: Szymon, Hubert and Daria.
• He lives on the outskirts of Hannover.