Exciting Paksi Prospect Leaves After Six Months

Paksi FC currently lead the Hungarian NB1 by a point, and it’s a position of such comfort that they’ve sold the player tipped as the next big thing just six months ago.

Péter Beke only joined Atomcsapat in June and was expected to deliver goals. Having come through several academies, including title rivals Ferencváros, he was picked up by Bundesliga side SV Hamburg. With Hungarian youth honours up to Under 19 level, it seemed the young forward was on a collision course with the bright lights of Europe’s top division.

However, after just six months with Paks, he’s on the move, dropping out of the top flight to join NB2 side Nyíregyháza, who are currently leading the table. A short statement on the Paks’ website confirmed the 22-year-old would side with Nyíregyháza, known as Szpari. They’ve had a remarkable season – they finished 18th out of 20 last season and had to survive the relegation play-off, but they’re now hunting a place in the top flight.

“I come to the club with very high hopes,” Beke told their official website. “We have had a good relationship with Fekete Tivadar for a long time, and this greatly influenced my decision. When he contacted me – even though I had other offers – Szpari came first, and I am happy that I can continue my career here.”

The young striker appeared seven times for Hambrug’s ‘B’ team, scoring three goals, but in June 2021, he returned to his homeland to play for top-flight side  Zalaegerszeg. He moved to Budafoki where he enjoyed success, scoring a hat trick in the semi-final to ensure his club reached the 2023 Magyar Kupa final. That caught the eye of Paks, a side who finished fifth in the top flight but have aspirations of a European spot this season.

He arrived touted as a replacement for top scorer Barnabás Varga, the exciting prospect who moved to Ferencváros in the summer, but just four outings totaling 175 minutes and no goals have already rendered him surplus to requirements. During that time, he only managed a single shot on target against Puskás FC in September.

Site Opinion

Péter Beke is young and ambitious, and his form for Budafoki underlined the potential he has. Replacing Varga, the golden boy of Hungarian football, was always going to be tough, and it has proven to be a bridge too far for the striker.

He now has a real opportunity to prove himself. At 22, he has his best years ahead of him, and he joins a side in good form. Szpari are ten points clear of Szeged in third, and have already bagged 42 goals in just 18 games.

They create chances, and that’s just what the young man needs to prove a point to everyone at Paks.