Hungarian police search for ex-QPR and Portsmouth midfielder Akos Buzsaky, missing for a week

Hungarian police have launched a public appeal for information on former Premier League midfielder Akos Buzsaky, 44, who has been missing from Budapest since 18 August. The circumstances of his disappearance have not been disclosed by authorities.

Buzsaky earned 20 caps for Hungary and spent the most productive stretch of his career at QPR, making 125 appearances and contributing 24 goals and 13 assists between 2008 and 2012. He also represented Plymouth, Portsmouth and Barnsley during his time in England, making 18 Premier League appearances in total.

His father, Akos Buzsaky Sr, told Hungarian outlet Blikk that he was unaware police were also searching for his son. “He basically spends a lot of time in Greece, where he works as a construction contractor,” the elder Buzsaky said. “He spent almost the entire last year there. Since we don’t live under the same roof, it’s not surprising that we only speak less often. The last time I spoke to him was last week, when he was at home.”

Buzsaky began his career at MTK Budapest before joining Porto in 2002 under José Mourinho. He moved to England on loan with Plymouth in 2005 before QPR signed him permanently three years later. He retired in 2015 following a final spell with Ferencvaros in Hungary.

In a podcast interview after his retirement, Buzsaky spoke candidly about personal struggles. “I found a source of joy in life that I became addicted to,” he said. “What addictions are there: gambling, alcohol, drugs. I fell into one of them, which I am not proud of. It is a part of my life — if I were to deny it or declare that period as not having happened, I would be deceiving myself.”

Police have not offered further detail on why they are seeking Buzsaky, and no further information on his whereabouts has been made public.