The Hungarian player was given a half-time start in the English team's first summer pre-season game against German second division side, Karlsruhe.Continue reading
Bournemouth’s newest acquisition, player of the Hungarian national football team Milos Kerkez, said in his first interview with the club that he has dreamed of playing in the Premier League since he was a child. According to Nemzeti Sport, Kerkez could be a starting player instantly since there is no rival on his post.
“I chose Bournemouth mainly because of the respect I felt from the club. They visited us at home to explain their plans and that was a big factor in my decision,” said the 19-year-old left-back.
He stressed that the intensity and pace of the games is outstanding in the English top flight, where the best in the world play, so it will be different to what he has experienced so far. He added that he knows what to expect, having faced West Ham United in this year’s Conference League semi-final against his former team AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands. He noted that he feels prepared.
The footballer laughingly described himself as a “crazy left back.” By his own admission, he enjoys defending and tackling, but he also likes to help his team attack.
He says it is in his DNA to run up and down the court, which is what he loves to do. He also revealed that Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola, who was appointed in the summer, was also instrumental in his transfer because he particularly likes his philosophy of play.
I was born in Serbia, but my grandmother is Hungarian. Thanks to her I got my Hungarian papers, meaning that I am a dual citizen. I am playing for the Hungarian national team, it was my and my family’s decision after I was invited,”
emphasized Kerkez, who called it an honor to play for the Hungarian national team. He noted that the next qualifier for the European Championship is against Serbia, which is important for him for two reasons: firstly, the two favorites in the group will meet, and secondly, his whole family will be out for the match.
Kerkez signed from AC Milan in January last year for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, where he was a key player last season. Bournemouth announced his signing on Thursday, with press reports claiming they paid €18 million for him.
There was much attention around Kerkez’s signing, with Portuguese Benfica and Italian Lazio both interested in him. Fabrizio Romano, an Italian sports expert, even reported recently that Lazio has agreed with AZ Alkmaar on the transfer. However, after a surprising hijack, Bournemouth managed to sign the Hungarian footballer. As a result, there are now two members of the Hungarian national football team playing in the English Premier League, with Dominik Szoboszlai signing to Liverpool this summer.
Featured photo via Twitter/AFC Bournemouth