Can we get a song for Polish Pete?

The Evening Standard reports: 'Piotr Parzyszek does not exactly roll off the tongue but Charlton’s new signing hopes his name will be on everyone’s lips when he gets up and running in England. Parzyszek moved to The Valley on deadline day after rejecting Portuguese giants Benfica and the Polish striker is determined to get people talking about him, even if supporters cannot pronounce his name.

“The fans can call me Peter,” said the 20-year-old, who joined from Dutch Second Division side De Graafschap. “That will make things easier for everyone! In Holland they had the same problem because, in Polish, my name is very difficult to say. I understand the supporters may have a few problems with it but I am used to that.”

Parzyszek (pronounced Par-je-shek), a highly-rated Poland Under-21 international, was linked with West Ham and Aston Villa during last month’s transfer window after impressing a host of European clubs with his goalscoring. Sixteen goals in 20 games this season convinced Benfica to agree a fee with De Graafschap for his signature. “That was almost a done deal,” said 6ft 3in Parzyszek, who is a confident individual. “Benfica called and wanted to talk about me moving there at the end of the season. But I told them I wanted to move in January because, if I scored 15 or 20 more goals, I could sign for one of the top clubs in Holland in the summer.

“Benfica then agreed to buy me in January and loan me back to De Graafschap and, after three weeks without hearing anything, I eventually flew out there to agree personal terms. But I only got a piece of paper that said how long my contract would be and how much I would earn. There was nothing about a house, a car or talk of flights for my family. So I told them: ‘If that is how much you want me, I will pass’. “I have to have a good feeling about a place and people have to have faith in me. I did not feel that at all at Benfica so it was not a difficult decision.”

Parzyszek, who signed a four-and-a-half year contract with Charlton, had been in Holland since leaving Poland aged six with his mother, Hanna. After coming through the ranks at De Graafschap, he made his senior debut last season following their relegation from the Dutch top flight and quickly turned heads in the second tier. He established himself as a regular in a side pushing for promotion this season and has been compared to Holland star Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. “De Graafschap was a great club but the time was right to leave, make that next step, play with better players and test myself at a higher level,” said Parzyszek, who had no reservations about joining a team in the Championship relegation zone. “I am young and I want to develop myself as a player.”

Parzyszek made his Charlton debut as a late substitute against Birmingham last weekend and is still adjusting to the rigours of the Championship after just two weeks in England. “Already I can tell the football is so much quicker, so much better,” he said. “But I enjoy the physical side of things.” Parzyszek could be a crucial player for Chris Powell, who lost star striker Yann Kermorgant to Bournemouth on deadline day, as his struggling side battle against relegation. Charlton, without a League win since Boxing Day, sit third from bottom and are the lowest scorers in the Championship.

“What can I bring to the side? Goals,” said Parzyszek. “That is the main thing. I can shoot with both feet and I am good with my head. I do not think we will get relegated because I have seen the players we have here. Hopefully I can force my way into the starting line-up.” Parzyszek is hoping for a chance to impress against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup tomorrow but accepts it may be a while before Charlton fans have a song for him. He added: “They had a few for me in Holland but it may be more of a challenge in English!”