Norbert Balogh

Norbert Balogh

Personal information
Full name	Norbert Sándor Balogh
Date of birth	21 February 1996
Place of birth	Hajdúböszörmény, Hungary
Height	1.97 m (6 ft 5 ^1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Forward
Club information
Current team	Palermo
Number	22
Youth career
2004–2006	Hajdúböszörmény
2006–2014	Debrecen
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2014–2015	Debrecen	33	(5)
2014	→ Létavértes (loan)	11	(2)
2016–	Palermo	4	(0)
National team^‡
2014	Hungary U-18	1	(0)
2014	Hungary U-19	6	(1)
2015	Hungary U-20	1	(0)
2015–	Hungary U-21	4	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 April 2016. † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 3 April 2016

Norbert Sandor Balogh (born 21 February 1996 in Hajdúböszörmény) is a Hungarian football player currently playing for the Italian team Palermo as a forward. He was also part of the Hungarian U-19 at the 2014 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.^[1]

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.^[2]

Debrecen

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 Stadion.^[3]

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.^[4]

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). ^[5]

On 26 December 2015, Balogh was invited to see the 2015-16 Premier League match between Chelsea F.C. and Watford F.C..^[6]

On 9 January 2016, Ajax Amsterdam offered Debreceni VSC 1.5 million € to purchase Balogh.^[7]

Palermo

On 13 January 2016, Balogh was signed by Serie A club U.S. Città di Palermo. The transfer fee was 2,200,000€.^[8][9]

Statistics

Club

Club	Season	League		Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Létavértes	2013–14	11	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	2
	Total	11	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	2
Debrecen	2014–15	15	2	0	0	6	1	0	0	21	3
	2015–16	18	3	0	0	0	0	6	2	24	5
	Total	33	5	0	0	6	1	6	2	45	8
Palermo	2015–16	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career totals		44	7	0	0	6	1	6	2	56	10

Updated to games played as of 9 December 2014.

References

1. Uefa euro u19 squad (hungarian)
2. "DVSC: Balogh cigánysoron nőtt fel, néha enni sem tudott". Nemzeti Sport. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
3. "MTK Budapest 1-0 Debrecen". Soccerway. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
4. "Debrecen 4-0 Pápa". Soccerway. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
5. "197 centi, de a földön varázsol – ezért vitte el a Palermo Balogh Norbertet". Nemzeti Sport. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
6. "A debreceni Balogh Norbert a Stamford Bridge-en is járt". Nemzeti Sport. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
7. "DVSC: az Ajax is ajánlatot tett, 1.5 millióért válthat a csatár – sajtóhír". Nemzeti Sport. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
8. "Palermo: Balogh Norbert megvan, sőt alá is írt! – hivatalos". Nemzeti Sport. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
9. "Calciomercato Palermo, c'è Balogh. E Nestorovski scalpita". Corriere dello Sport – Stadio. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.

External links

• MLSZ (Hungarian)