Norbert Balogh

Norbert Sándor Balogh (born 21 February 1996) is a Hungarian footballer who plays as a forward for Kisvárda on loan from the Slovak club DAC Dunajská Streda, and the Hungarian national team.

Norbert Balogh
Personal information
Full nameNorbert Sándor Balogh
Date of birth (1996-02-21) 21 February 1996 (age 28)
Place of birthHajdúböszörmény, Hungary
Height1.97 m (6 ft 5+12 in)
Position(s)Striker / Winger
Team information
Current team
Kisvárda
Number17
Youth career
2004–2006Hajdúböszörmény
2006–2014Debrecen
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2014–2015Debrecen33(5)
2014→ Létavértes SC '97 (loan)11(2)
2016–2019Palermo22(0)
2018–2019APOEL (loan)12(2)
2019–2020Hull City3(0)
2020–2022Budapest Honvéd39(10)
2022DAC Dunajská Streda (loan)12(2)
2022–DAC Dunajská Streda7(0)
2023Vasas (loan)8(0)
2023–Kisvárda (loan)11(2)
International career
2014Hungary U181(0)
2014Hungary U196(1)
2015Hungary U201(0)
2015–2018Hungary U217(1)
2017Hungary2(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 December 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19:12, 15 January 2021 (UTC)

Club career

Balogh grew up in very poor circumstances in Hajdúböszörmény, Hajdú County, Hungary. His parents did not earn enough money, therefore he often starved. Balogh's parents could not afford to buy new shoes for him, therefore he was often mocked at school. In an interview with Nemzeti Sport, Balogh said that he did not mind that he was brought up in poor circumstances because as an adult he can appreciate the success more. But he never forgets where he comes from. He is still in touch with his old friends from his birthplace. He remembers during the summers he played football with his friends even if they did not have food. He started playing football in the football club of Hajdúböszörmény and he was spotted during an exhibition match by László Arany, who invited him to go to the academy of Debreceni VSC.When he was 17 he got a contract from Debrecen and he rented a flat there. He sent some of his earning to his parents who got divorced. When he was selected for the first squad of the club his father had to go to prison which hurt Balogh. His father is an important person in his life because he taught him a lot and persuaded him to become a footballer.[1]

Debrecen

Early career

On 1 August 2014, Balogh debuted in the 2014–15 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season against MTK Budapest in a 1–0 defeat at the Bozsik József Stadion.[2] On 17 May 2015, he scored his first and second goal for Debrecen in the 2014–15 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season in a 4–0 victory against Lombard-Pápa TFC.[3] In the 2015–16 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season, Balogh finished on the top in many statistics. He engaged in most battles (605) among which he won 250 (overtook only by Suljic).[4] On 26 December 2015, Balogh was invited to see the 2015-16 Premier League match between Chelsea F.C. and Watford F.C.[5] On 9 January 2016, Ajax Amsterdam offered Debreceni VSC 1.5 million € to purchase Balogh.[6]

Palermo

On 13 January 2016, Balogh was signed by Serie A club U.S. Città di Palermo. The transfer fee was €2,200,000.[7][8]

APOEL FC

On 21 August 2018, he was loaned to the Cypriot First Division club APOEL.[9] On 3 December 2018, he played his first match in the 2018–19 Cypriot First Division in a 5–1 victory against Apollon Limassol at the GSP Stadium, Nicosia. He entered the pitch in 67th minute as a substitute for Léo Natel.[10] On 19 December 2018, Balogh scored his first goal against Ayia Napa FC in the first round of the 2018–19 Cypriot Cup in the GSP Stadium, Nicosia.[11] On 20 February 2019, he scored twice against Doxa Katokopias FC in a Cypriot Cup match.[12] On 24 February 2019 he scored his first goal in the Cypriot First Division away to AEL Limassol.[13]

Following Palermo's exclusion from the Serie B, he was released together with all other players in July 2019, thus becoming a free agent.

Hull City

On 14 September 2019, after a week of training with the team, it was announced ahead of Hull City's home game against Wigan Athletic that Balogh had signed permanently with The Tigers, on a one-year deal, with an option for a further 12 months.[14] He made his debut on 23 October 2019, in a 1–2 away win against Nottingham Forest when he came on as a substitute for Jon Toral.[15] On 29 May 2020, he left the club by mutual consent.[16]

Vasas

On 14 February 2023, Balogh joined Vasas on loan.[17]

International career

Balogh was a member of the Hungarian U-19 squad at the 2014 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[18]

Career statistics

Club

As of 15 May 2022[19]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational Cup[a]League Cup[b]EuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Létavértes2013–14Nemzeti Bajnokság III112000000112
Debrecen2014–15Nemzeti Bajnokság I152006100213
2015–16Nemzeti Bajnokság I183000062245
Total335006162458
Palermo2015–16Serie A400040
2016–17Serie A16020180
2017–18Serie B202040
Total22040260
APOEL2018–19Cypriot First Division1225300175
Hull City2019–20Championship30000030
Budapest Honvéd2020–21Nemzeti Bajnokság I261000102710
2021–2213022152
Total391022104212
Career total12019115617214427

International

As of match played 24 March 2019[19]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Hungary201720
2018
201900
2020
Total20

Honours

APOEL

References