Argyle have signed defender Kornel Szucs, for an undisclosed fee, from Hungarian top division side Kecskemeti.
Able to play at centre-back, right-back and as a right wing-back, 22-year-old Szucs becomes the sixth signing of the Pilgrims’ summer, following the arrivals of Nathanael Ogbeta, Muhamed Tijani, Darko Gyabi, Ibrahim Cissoko and Victor Palsson.
Kornel is from Miskolc, the fourth largest city in Hungary, and came through the ranks at the city’s leading club, Diosgyor. After playing for the club’s second team in the nation’s third tier of football, he played in the division above during loan spells with Kazincbarcika, and notched 51 appearances for Diosgyor’s first team.
In the summer of 2023, Szucs signed for Kecskemeti, and played 28 times, scoring two goals, last season, as they finished sixth in the top division. He has also played three times for Hungary Under-21s.
Szucs is following in the footsteps of fellow Hungarians Akos Buzsaky, Peter Halmosi and Krisztian Timar, who all played for Argyle with distinction in the Pilgrims’ previous stint in the Championship.
“I am really pleased we have been able to bring Kornel on board,” said Argyle Head Coach Wayne Rooney. “He is a very talented young player, able to play in several defensive positions. As well as his versatility, he is very athletic, is comfortable on the ball, and is well suited to the way we want to play.
“I am looking forward to seeing him in action for us.”
Director of Football Neil Dewsnip added: “The acquisition of Kornel is further evidence of our recruitment process reaching far and wide to attract the best players we possibly can.
“Our team do an excellent job identifying players who we think will augment our current squad, and Kornel will do that. He is a good player now, and we think he has scope to be even better. I am delighted he has joined us.”
Kornel is sponsored by the McGrath Family.
The move is subject to EFL approval and international clearance.