For any ambitious left-back, there is no idol greater than Paolo Maldini. The AC Milan legend has won 26 major trophies throughout his excellent playing career and has long been considered the gold standard for left-backs.
Therefore, it is noteworthy that during his time as Technical Director at Milan, Maldini personally struggled to sign a promising young defender. That is Milos Kerkez.
"You can't say no when Maldini calls you," Kerkez told Hungarian newspaper Nemzeti Sport, recalling his 2021 transfer from ETO FC Gyor to Milan. Although the defender struggled to break into the first team at the San Siro, joining AZ Alkmaar after just one year in Italy, it is clear that Maldini's instincts are right.
Four years later, Kerkez has been one of the most exciting defensive talents in Europe. He has just moved to Liverpool with a £40 million contract after a great campaign at AFC Bournemouth.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, who signed the defender from AZ during his time as Bournemouth's technical director, played a key role in the success of the Kerkez transfer deal to Anfield.
The Hungarian player became the third signing of The Kop in the summer of 2025, after the appearance of full-back Jeremie Frimpong and midfielder Florian Wirtz.
To understand more about Kerkez's personality, people only need to look at the defender's decision when he swore allegiance to the Hungarian team. He was eligible to wear the Hungarian shirt through his grandmother, instead of his native Serbia.
Kerkez became the youngest player (20 years and 221 days) to play for Hungary at EURO in the past 60 years when they faced Switzerland in the group stage of EURO 2024.
"He could have chosen Serbia," Hungarian journalist and football expert Bence Bocsak told ESPN. "I talked to him about it once in an interview. And he said Serbia had never approached him when he was at the youth level. Hungary has done so. He wants to repay, maintain his allegiance to Hungary and represent Hungary at a higher level."
Thus, Kerkez's career began to take off in Hungary. After starting his career at Serbian club FK Vrbas, the defender had a short spell in Austria with Rapid Vienna. He then joined Hungarian club FC Gyor, where Kerkez immediately caught the eye of the coaching staff.
"Milos Kerkez is always in the gym. When the practice room is closed or packed with players, he practices in the dressing room. His mentality is terrible.
On the pitch, he stands out with his courage, explosiveness, agility and strong will to win. He did everything to win," said former Hungary international Miklos Herczeg, who coached Kerkez at Gyor.
Not only did Kerkez's attitude change during his time at Gyor, but his position on the pitch also changed. The coaching staff decided to move him from midfielder number 10 to left-back to give Kerkez the best chance to advance to the first team.
Kerkez is the youngest player to ever debut for Gyor in the Hungarian top flight. At the age of 16, he was the first choice left-back for the team. 6 months later, Kerkez was brought to Milan attention and the rest was history.
However, due to limited playing time in Italy, Kerkez decided to join AZ Alkmaar in January 2022, making 57 appearances in 18 months at the club.
During his two seasons at Bournemouth - the team he joined in the summer of 2023 for around £15.5 million - the Hungarian player has developed into one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League. Kerkez started every Premier League game for Andoni Iraola's side last season.
