El Paso, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced on Tuesday that defender Marton Demko was named to the Hungarian U17 men’s national team, with the federation heading to a training camp to finalize preparations for the 2023 UEFA European U17s. A team of 26 people was called up. Championships hosted by the country this month.
The 17-year-old dual citizen moved to El Paso from Florida last November and was one of the USL Academy players added to Locomotive FC’s USL Championship roster in March. Since then, he trained with El Paso’s first team and was able to gain valuable experience early in his competitive career.
The final 22-man Euro squad will be announced on Thursday, according to the Hungarian Football Federation, following a three-day training camp that began on Monday.
Hungarian academy director Ivan Militar was delighted with the opportunity given to Demko as he aims to join his country’s best young players in the final 22-man roster.
“We are very proud and excited about Merton,” Militar said. “This is the opportunity of a lifetime for him and we are confident that he will represent El Paso Locomotive FC with great demeanor and demonstrate his talent and dedication.”
Hungary, the hosts, are automatically in Group A and will face Poland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. The top five teams at the end of the U-17 Euro will qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in November. The U17 Euros start playing next Wednesday, May 17th.
Demko’s call-up to the Hungarian U-17 national team is just one example of Locomotive FC’s investment in developing and producing quality young talent. This off-season saw the club sign Diego Abala and Joel Maldonado to professional contracts, making them the first ever Academy graduates in the club’s history, while the club saw young players take their first steps into the professional arena. It has proven to be a destination. Support football and help propel them to the next stage of their careers.
“As American football continues to globalize and produce higher-level talent, we expect more international teams to seek talent at the USL,” said Liam Oh, Technical Director of the United Soccer League. I applaud clubs like this for providing a platform to promote the best young players.” “Connell. “Merton’s call-up to the Hungarian U17 national team is due to Ivan Militar and the quality of the player developed by the El Paso system.”
