Athletic are Hungary for new talent

Reporter: Tony Bugby
Date online: 10 February 2009

ATHLETIC have entered into a tie-up with Hungarian champions MTK Budapest as they venture overseas in their search for new talent.

Managing director Simon Corney, who has admitted discussing three or four similar projects with foreign clubs, is excited by the link Athletic have established.

Mr Corney and other Athletic staff have made a number of visits to Budapest, while the Hungarian club had a delegation at the recent home game against Stockport County.

The link came about when Mr Corney was introduced to the club via a friend who works for Liverpool FC.

Mr Corney said: “Liverpool have already taken a couple of players, including striker Krisztian Nemeth, who has since been loaned to Blackpool.

“I have been to Budapest a couple of times and am going again this week with Lee Duxbury.

“We are looking for a relationship in which they perhaps will be able to send a few players to us. Maybe they will be good enough to get into our first team.

“I am hoping we will be able to have a pick of the good players . . . . after Liverpool.

“It is very exciting. I don’t know where it will end up, but I am very hopeful it will have long-term benefits as I have put a lot of time and effort into it.”