Sporting KC adds Hungarian Botond Barath

Sporting Kansas City has added another player, announcing the signing of Hungarian international defender Botond Barath. The right-footed Budapest native’s contract is up with his hometown club, Budapest Honved FC so Sporting KC can sign him with no transfer fee.

Barath and Sporting KC have agreed to a two-year MLS contract through 2020 with an option for 2021. The 26-year-old Hungarian will occupy an international slot and be officially added to Sporting KC’s roster on January 1st pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 visa.

Barath has made over 200 first-team appearances in all competitions since 2009 for his hometown team, helping Budapest Honved FC to the 2016-17 Hungarian first-division title. Barath had made appearances with Hungary’s youth sides but his play with Honved earned him a call to the full national team and three caps in UEFA Nations League play.

With Borath starting, Hungary won two and tied one but were already too far down in the standings to earn a promotion out of their group to the B League.

Hungarian flavor in Kansas City

When Barath arrives he will not have trouble finding kindred amongst his new team. Sporting KC forwards Daniel Salloi and Krisztian Nemeth are both Hungarian. Nemeth and Borath were both in camp with the Magyars (Hungarian National team) in October. Manager Peter Vermes is also of Hungarian descent and speaks fluent Hungarian.

The only previous Hungarian to play for Kansas City was Zoltan Hercegfalvi who played for the Wizards in 2009.

Defense

Borath is expected to play primarily at the center back spot but has played in both outside back positions in the past as well. He will have to compete with Matt Besler, Ike Opara, Andreu Fontas and Graham Smith for playing time in the center. Unless of course, this clears the way for Ike Opara to be traded.