Marton Demko training with the Hungarian U-17s. Image courtesy of the Hungary Football Federation.
EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC U-20 USL Academy defender Marton Demko has been selected for the Hungary U-17 Men’s National Team 26-man camp squad as it finalizes preparations for the Hungary 2023 UEFA European U-17 Championship.
The 17-year-old dual-national moved to El Paso from Florida last November and signed as a USL Academy player in March. Since then, he has been able to train with the El Paso first team and gain valuable experience early in his athletic career.
Per the Hungarian Football Federation, the final 22-man roster will be announced on Thursday.
Academy Director Ivan Militar, a native Hungarian, could not hold back his excitement for Demko to receive the call up to train and compete for a spot in the final 22-man roster with some of the best young talent from his home country.
“We are extremely proud and excited for Marton,” Militar said. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime for him, and we are confident he will represent El Paso Locomotive FC with great attitude as well as showcase his talent and dedication.”
As hosts, Hungary automatically falls into Group A and is scheduled to face off against Poland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. The top five teams at the end of the U-17 Euros will qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in November. The U17 Euros will commence play next Wednesday, May 17.
Demko’s call-up to the Hungarian U-17s is just another shining example of Locomotive’s investment to develop and produce quality youth talent. Locomotive has proven it can be a destination club for young players to take their first steps into the realm of professional soccer and help propel them to the next stages of their careers.
“As American soccer continues to globalize and produce higher-level talents, we anticipate even more international teams mining the USL for talent and applaud clubs like El Paso providing that platform to promote their best young players,” United Soccer League Technical Director Liam O’Connell said. “Marton’s call-up to the Hungarian U17 National Team is credit to the quality of player being developed by Ivan Militar and El Paso’s system.”
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