Bournemouth Completes £10.4m Signing of Hungary Midfielder Alex Toth
In a move aimed at bolstering their midfield options, AFC Bournemouth has signed Hungary international Alex Toth from Hungarian champions Ferencvaros for a fee of £10.4 million. The 20-year-old defensive midfielder has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Cherries, with the deal potentially including an additional £2.6 million in add-ons for the Hungarian club and a 10% sell-on clause.
Background and Career Path
Alex Toth, who has nine caps for the Hungary national team, has played all his club football in Hungary. He made his debut for Ferencvaros in December 2024 and has since featured 52 times for the league champions, scoring four goals. The midfielder spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Soroksar before returning to Ferencvaros, where his performances caught the attention of several top clubs, including Benfica, Galatasaray, and Lazio.
International Experience
Toth has already gained valuable experience at the international level, representing Hungary in high-profile matches against nations like Portugal. His ability to adapt to different midfield roles has been a key factor in his development, with Hungarian football expert Bence Bocsak highlighting his versatility. "He can play as a number eight, he can be a box-to-box player, but he has played as a holding player in the past," Bocsak noted.
Bournemouth's Perspective
Bournemouth's head of football operations, Tiago Pinto, expressed excitement about the signing, stating, "He has come from a club that is used to competing at the highest level in Hungary, while also featuring in Europe, so we're excited about what he can bring to us in Bournemouth as he continues to develop further under the coaching of Andoni Iraola." The arrival of Toth comes as Bournemouth looks to strengthen its squad during the January transfer window.
Player's Reaction
Toth himself expressed his happiness and excitement about joining the Premier League club. "When I knew AFC Bournemouth were first interested in me, I was excited and happy because this is a good club in the Premier League, the best league in the world and the strongest league," he said. "The whole club, the whole structure is great."
Expert Analysis
Bence Bocsak provided deeper insight into Toth's playing style and potential impact at Bournemouth. He described Toth as not being a "Dominik Szoboszlai that was tipped to be a star the minute he came into the Hungary national team at 16 years old." Instead, Toth has "had to wait for his time," working hard and maintaining an "ultimate professional" attitude throughout his career.
Style of Play
"He's very experienced at a high level already because he's been playing regular Europa League football, so he's not coming directly from the Hungarian league because that's a big step to the Premier League," Bocsak explained. He highlighted Toth's intensity and pressing ability, which aligns well with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola's style of play. "For me, that would probably be his role," Bocsak concluded, referring to a number 10 position in the Bournemouth side.
Influence of Mentors
Under the tutelage of former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita at Ferencvaros and current Hungary manager Robbie Keane, Toth has developed significantly. "Everyone that you speak to about him, everyone that's worked with him, has praised his character," Bocsak remarked. This mentorship has been crucial in shaping Toth into the player he is today.
Context of the Signing
The signing of Toth is Bournemouth's third acquisition of the January transfer window, following the arrivals of goalkeeper Fraser Forster and defender Ade Solanke. These signings indicate Bournemouth's intent to strengthen their squad as they aim for Premier League survival. Toth, being the second Hungarian to play for Bournemouth after Milos Kerkez, adds an international dimension to the squad.
Future Prospects
With a young and versatile player like Toth joining the squad, Bournemouth hopes to not only secure their position in the Premier League but also to develop him into a key player for the future. His ability to play in multiple midfield roles gives manager Andoni Iraola tactical flexibility, which could be crucial in the latter stages of the season.
Conclusion
The £10.4 million signing of Alex Toth from Ferencvaros is a significant move for AFC Bournemouth as they look to bolster their midfield options. With his international experience, versatility, and high work rate, Toth is expected to make an immediate impact on the team. As Bournemouth continues to navigate the challenges of the Premier League, the addition of a player with Toth's potential could prove to be a masterstroke in their survival bid.
