EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced on Tuesday that defender Marton Demko had been selected to the Hungary U-17 Men’s National Team, with the federation calling up a 26-man squad to training camp as it finalizes preparations for the 2023 UEFA European U-17 Championship to be hosted by the country this month.

The 17-year-old dual-national moved to El Paso from Florida last November and was among the USL Academy signings added to Locomotive FC’s USL Championship roster in March. Since then, he has been able to train with the El Paso First Team and gain valuable experience early in his athletic career.

Per the Hungarian Football Federation, the final 22-man roster for the Euros will be announced on Thursday following a three-day training camp which began Monday.

Academy Director Ivan Militar, a native Hungarian, was delighted for the opportunity presented to Demko as he vies to be part of the final 22-man roster alongside some of the best young talent from his home country. 

“We are extremely proud and excited for Marton,” said Militar. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime for him, and we are confident he will represent El Paso Locomotive FC with great attitude as well as showcase his talent and dedication.”

As hosts, Hungary automatically falls into Group A and is scheduled to face off against Poland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. The top five teams at the end of the U-17 Euros will qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in November. The U17 Euros will commence play next Wednesday, May 17. 

Demko’s call-up to the Hungarian U-17s is just another example of Locomotive FC’s investment to develop and produce quality youth talent. This past offseason the club signed Diego Abara and Joel Maldonado to professional contracts, the first players Academy graduates to do so in club history, while the club has proven it can be a destination for young players to take their first steps into the realm of professional soccer and help propel them to the next stages of their careers.

“As American soccer continues to globalize and produce higher-level talents, we anticipate even more international teams mining the USL for talent and applaud clubs like El Paso providing that platform to promote their best young players,” said United Soccer League Technical Director Liam O’Connell. “Marton’s call-up to the Hungarian U17 National Team is credit to the quality of player being developed by Ivan Militar and El Paso’s system.”