Bournemouth Beat Rivals To Sign Hungary’s Alex Toth

Bournemouth’s January transfer window just got a major boost as the club officially unveiled Hungarian international Alex Toth as their latest signing. The 20-year-old central midfielder arrives from Ferencvaros, the reigning Hungarian champions, after a transfer saga that saw Bournemouth beat out fierce competition from Lazio, Benfica, and Galatasaray. The deal, announced on January 20, 2026, is worth £10.4 million, with potential add-ons of £2.6 million and a 10% sell-on clause for Ferencvaros, making it one of the club’s most significant investments in recent years.

Toth’s arrival comes at a crucial time for the Cherries. With Tyler Adams, David Brooks, and Justin Kluivert all sidelined through injury, fans had been clamoring for reinforcements. Manager Andoni Iraola, who has already brought in Fraser Forster and Ade Solanke this window, wasted no time in moving for Toth when the opportunity arose. According to reports, Bournemouth’s decisive action and more lucrative offer outbid Lazio, whose €10 million proposal fell short of Ferencvaros’ expectations. Bournemouth’s package—totaling €12 million plus €3 million in bonuses—ultimately sealed the deal.

Alex Toth signs a five-and-a-half-year contract, becoming the second Hungarian international to represent Bournemouth after Milos Kerkez. The club’s Head of Football Operations, Tiago Pinto, expressed his excitement: “I’m really pleased to bring such a young talent in Alex to the club and I’m looking forward to working with him. He has come from a club that is used to competing at the highest level in Hungary, while also featuring in Europe, so we’re excited about what he can bring to us in Bournemouth as he continues to develop further under the coaching of Andoni.”

The versatile midfielder brings with him a wealth of experience for his age. Toth progressed through the Ferencvaros academy, making his senior debut in December 2024. He has since racked up 52 senior appearances for the Hungarian giants, scoring four goals and gaining valuable minutes in both domestic and European competition. Last season, he was part of the Ferencvaros squad that clinched the Nemzeti Bajnokság title, further cementing his reputation as a player accustomed to high-stakes football. During the 2023-24 campaign, he spent time on loan at Soroksar, adding another layer to his development.

This season has seen Toth’s star rise even higher. Across all competitions, he’s made 25 appearances for Ferencvaros, finding the net twice and providing five assists. Notably, his European exploits include 11 matches—six in Champions League qualification, where he scored once and provided two assists, and five in the Europa League, where he added another assist. Such numbers underscore his ability to influence games at the highest level, a trait Bournemouth will be keen to harness as they look to climb the Premier League table.

Toth’s international pedigree is equally impressive. Having represented Hungary at every youth level from under-18 upwards, he made his senior debut last year and has already earned nine caps. He’s started five of Hungary’s six World Cup qualifiers, indicating his growing importance to the national setup. According to Hungarian football expert Bence Bocsak, “He can play as a number eight, he can be a box-to-box player, but he has played as a holding player in the past. I don’t think he’s going to be a destroyer type, and as a holding midfielder he’s more of a deep-lying creator. And he can also play more advanced as a number 10. He’s played all of those roles for Ferencvaros, but more importantly he’s played all those roles for the Hungary national team, against Portugal and other big nations.”

Bournemouth’s acquisition of Toth is not just about plugging gaps left by injuries. The club has been impressed by his physical data and glowing personal references. His arrival provides much-needed depth and tactical flexibility, allowing manager Iraola to deploy Alex Scott higher up the pitch or shift Marcus Tavernier out wide when he returns from injury. Toth’s versatility is seen as a perfect fit for Iraola’s high-pressing, energetic style of play. Bocsak further notes, “He’s very experienced at a high level already because he’s been playing regular Europa League football… Everyone that you speak to about him, everyone that’s worked with him, has praised his character. He’s not a Dominik Szoboszlai that was tipped to be a star the minute he came into the Hungary national team at 16 years old. Alex has had to wait for his time. He’s worked hard. He’s been the ultimate professional throughout his time, then eventually got his opportunity because of his character.”

Toth himself is brimming with enthusiasm about his new chapter in England. Speaking to afcb.co.uk, he shared: “It feels amazing to be a part of this club and I am excited to achieve good things. When I knew AFC Bournemouth were first interested in me, I was excited and happy because this is a good club in the Premier League, the best league in the world and the strongest league. The whole club, the whole structure is great. When I was speaking to the directors, it was quite obvious for me because they were such good guys. I am really looking forward to achieving great things and making good results with this team.”

The midfielder’s journey from Budapest to Bournemouth has been marked by steady progress and a willingness to learn. He’s credited much of his recent development to working under Ferencvaros head coach Robbie Keane and learning from experienced teammates like Naby Keita. Toth was also the only player from Hungarian football to receive a Golden Boy nomination in 2025 and was ranked 32nd among the best Under-20 players in world football by the CIES Football Observatory. Analysts describe him as a "silky midfielder"—tall, comfortable on the ball, adept at shielding possession, and capable of threading risky passes in the final third. His touchmap reveals a player who covers broad swathes of the pitch, always eager to get involved and make a difference.

For Bournemouth, currently sitting 15th in the Premier League, Toth’s signing signals both ambition and a commitment to building for the future. His blend of technical skill, tactical versatility, and high-level experience could be exactly what the Cherries need as they face a challenging run of fixtures, starting with their next home match against Liverpool.

With Alex Toth now officially on board, Bournemouth supporters will be eager to see how quickly he can adapt to the pace and physicality of English football. If his track record is anything to go by, Cherries fans may not have to wait long to witness the impact of their new Hungarian star.