Robert Olejnik (born 26 November 1986) is an Austrian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Olejnik came through the youth teams of Austria Wien and Aston Villa and has played professionally for Falkirk, Torquay United, Peterborough United, Scunthorpe United, York City, Exeter City, and Mansfield Town. He also represented the Austria national under-21 team.
Club Career
Youth career
Olejnik was born in Vienna and started playing football from a young age first playing for Rapid Vienna. He moved to Austria Wien's youth system where he remained until 2003 when Olejnik moved to England to join Aston Villa's youth system after impressing goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, before landing his first professional contract.
Aston Villa
Olejnik is a product of Aston Villa's youth system. He joined League Two club Lincoln City on a loan deal until the end of the 2006–07 season, to help The Imps in their promotion push. Whilst there, he helped their Reserve side to lift the Pontin's Reserves League Cup. They had beaten Premiership sides Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers on the way. After a 1–1 draw in 90 minutes against Hartlepool United, the match went to a penalty shoot-out. Olejnik saved two of the first five, making it 3–3 after each side having taken five. The scores made it to 6–6 before Olejnik saved a penalty, to then step up himself and score the winning goal.
Falkirk
However, on 30 May 2007, Olejnik was released by Villa manager Martin O'Neill and the following day joined Scottish club Falkirk. At the start of the season, Olejnik became second choice to Tim Krul who made 22 appearances. Olejnik made his debut for the club in a 1–0 win over Kilmarnock on 2 January 2008, coming on a substitute for Russell Latapy after Krul got sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct.
This page also has a version in other languages : Роберт Олейник (russian)