Philadelphia Union has acquired attacking midfielder Daniel Gazdag from Budapest Honvéd FC of the Hungarian First Tier League, Nemzeti Bajnoksag. Check out these fast facts on the Union’s newest playmaker!
Versatility
While Gazdag is listed as an attacking midfielder within the Union’s system he’ll be able to slot into a few different spots. Obviously, the No. 10 role will be the area Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner and Head Coach Jim Curtin will hope to utilize the Hungarian playmaker but with his goalscoring right-footed boot he could also add additional depth as a forward.
Proven Playmaker
When you play at the club that famed striker Ferenc Puskas played at, you are expected to generate goals and that is exactly what Gazdag has done this season. In 30 appearances, all of which were starts, he has netted 13 goals and added six assists accounting for 41% of the club’s total goals when you combine the two. Across all competitions, the 25-year-old has scored 31 times and notched 32 assists in 212 appearances.
Breakout Season
The 2020-21 season has been the strongest of Gazdag’s career with him smashing personal milestones just when his club needed it. After a strong 2019-20 season where he combined for seven goals and seven assists across Europe League Qualifying, the Magyar Kupa (Hungarian Cup) and league competition, he took his level to a whole new level. 34 appearances, 18 goals and eight assists.
National Team Outlook
Playing for your national team is one of the biggest honors for a player and Gazdag has answered the call numerous times with 17 combined appearances across the U17, U18, U20 and U21 squads. He made his debut for the men’s national team in a friendly vs. Montenegro on September 5, 2019. Since then, he has earned a total of six caps, and recently netted his first international goal in a 4-1 victory over Andorra la Vella in a World Cup Qualifier on March 31, 2021. Gazdag projects to be on the Hungarian National Team that competes in EURO 2020 (this summer but same name) that will feature matches against France, Germany and Portugal.
