Milos Kerkez
  • DOB/Age: 2003 – Age 21 years
  • Nationality: Hungarian, Serbian
  • Height: 1.8m
  • Position: Liverpool FC (#6 / Defender)
  • Signed/Debut: 2025

Milos Kerkez joined Liverpool in 2025, moving from AFC Bournemouth in a £40 million deal after two standout seasons on the south coast. The Hungarian left-back, just 21 years old, impressed in the Premier League with his attacking verve and defensive growth, racking up goals, assists, and consistent performances. His arrival adds depth and energy to Liverpool’s defensive options and has stirred excitement among fans. In this article, we’ll explore Kerkez’s early life, rise through clubs, impact at Bournemouth, international career, and what he brings to Anfield as he continues his upward trajectory.

Early Life and Career

Milos Kerkez was born in 2003 in what is now Serbia, but he has strong Hungarian heritage and chose early to represent Hungary internationally. He began his youth career at OFK Vrbas in Serbia before moving to Austria, joining Rapid Wien’s youth setup, and then to Hungary with ETO FC Győr. In February 2021, he caught the eye of AC Milan but did not break into the senior team there. Soon after, he moved to AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, featuring for both their reserve (Jong AZ) and first team, showing his composure, athleticism, and attacking instincts from left‐back. These early experiences across countries and youth levels laid the groundwork for his breakthrough in England.

Club Career Before Liverpool

Kerkez moved to the Premier League with Bournemouth in July 2023, following his stint at AZ Alkmaar. In the 2024-25 season, he started all 38 league matches, contributing two goals and six assists, helping Bournemouth to a solid mid-table finish. His playstyle combined offensive support down the left flank with disciplined defensive positioning.

He was nominated for the 2024-25 PFA Young Player of the Year and was on the Golden Boy shortlist, recognition of his strong showing among young defenders in Europe. Before Bournemouth, his time in the Netherlands also proved fruitful: regular appearances, attacking returns, and enough consistency to draw interest from the Premier League.

The Transfer Deal

Liverpool secured Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth on 26 June 2025 for a reported fee of £40 million, signing him to a long-term (five-year) contract. His transfer followed Liverpool’s ambitious summer recruitment, with Kerkez becoming the third major signing after Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz.

Fans and pundits saw the deal as both exciting and strategic – Kerkez offers youth, energy, and attack down the left side, and his performances at Bournemouth suggested he could compete for a starting role. Liverpool supporters welcomed the addition, while many analysts pointed out that his defensive work rate and ability to overlap provide useful competition to incumbent left-backs like Andy Robertson and former reds Kostas Tsimikas. The expectation is that Milos Kerkez will need to adapt quickly to Liverpool’s standards but has the potential to become a key part of the squad.

Achievements, Moments, and Performances

Milos Kerkez’s journey so far has included several notable highlights and performances that mark him as one of Europe’s exciting young full-backs. At the international level, Kerkez made his senior debut for Hungary in September 2022, in a 1-0 win over Germany in the UEFA Nations League. Despite being young, he featured in the UEFA Euro 2024 squad for Hungary and has earned over 20 caps. However, a red card in a Euro qualifier against Bulgaria in November 2023 was a blemish on an otherwise impressive international rise.

At the club level, Milos Kerkez fully established himself at Bournemouth during the 2024-25 Premier League season. He played every league game, showed impressive attacking output from defence, depositing two goals and six assists, and was among the top defenders for offensive contributions in the league. His ability to cover ground, make overlapping runs, deliver crosses, and also track back earned praise. In “Nine Things to Know” features, he was noted for being among the top full-backs for sprinting, covering distance, and defensive/offensive duels. These standout moments, including assists in tight matches and goals that showed his willingness to attack, helped earn his reputation.

While he has yet to replicate that kind of standout display in Liverpool colours (as of mid-2025), his arrival carries the potential for many future moments. Milos Kerkez youth and athleticism make him well-suited for modern full-back roles, and his previous performances suggest he can deliver in high-press, high-expectation matches. The move to Liverpool also places him in a squad where the magnifying glass is always on, so replicating consistency will be key.

Personal Life

Milos Kerkez has a multicultural background. Born in Serbia, he is eligible to play for both Serbia and Hungary, and he chose Hungary thanks to his Hungarian family roots (especially via his paternal grandmother). He can speak several languages like Hungarian, Serbian, German, English, and some Italian, reflecting a life lived across different countries due to his early moves.

Off the pitch, Kerkez has shared that he uses his summers to get away from the intense rhythm of elite football. In interviews, he has spoken about spending time in Serbia, reconnecting with nature, enjoying activities like fishing and camping, and stepping away from his phone to recharge. He also has two dogs (Maximus and Had).

Among fans, Milos Kerkez has quickly become a favourite. His performances for Bournemouth earned him growing admiration, especially for his attacking thrust and willingness to take risks. At Liverpool, supporters are excited by his potential to add dynamism to the left side. Internationally, his popularity in Hungary is strong, as he represents one of the new generation of talents expected to keep the national side competitive. His signing also enhances Liverpool’s brand appeal: having young, exciting international players joining adds to global interest and commercial potential, especially in Eastern Europe.

Rumors and Future Prospects

Milos Kerkez’s arrival at Liverpool sparked speculation about how quickly he would claim the left-back spot. With Andy Robertson entering the later stages of his career, there’s a sense that Kerkez could either be a long-term replacement or fierce competition. Some rumours suggest that his attacking style might reshape Liverpool’s left flank in certain matches or systems. The challenges ahead include adapting to the heightened pressure at a club of Liverpool’s stature, consistently performing in defensive phases, and proving himself against tough Premier League opposition. But at only 21, his ceiling is high—if he continues his development, Milos Kerkez has the potential to become a key fixture at Anfield for years.

Conclusion

Milos Kerkez’s journey from youth academies in Serbia and Austria, through Hungary and the Netherlands, to breaking through in England, sets a strong foundation for his Anfield chapter. His performances at Bournemouth and for Hungary testified to his talent, and his move to Liverpool reflects faith in his potential. If he can sustain consistency, harness his attacking qualities, and rise to pressure moments, Kerkez could well become Liverpool’s go-to left-back. For the club and its fans, he represents both excitement and the future.

Read all other posts on Milos Kerkez

Find the Latest News on Player Ratings | Transfers | Prematch | Postmatch

Stay tuned for more updates on Liverpool FC Times and Stories. Your thoughts are always welcome in the comments section. Thank you for your continued support!

YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com

By Solomon Githinji

Solomon Githinji is a dedicated writer for Liverpool FC Times, bringing the rich history and dynamic present of Liverpool FC to life. A lifelong fan, Solomon's insightful articles capture the triumphs, challenges, and spirit of the Reds, connecting with and inspiring a global community of passionate supporters.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *