PETER KURUCZ
Born: 30 May 1988, Budapest, Hungary
Former clubs: Ujpest FC, FC Tatabanya (loan)
Promising goalkeeper Peter Kurucz came through the ranks at Ujpest FC in his home city of Budapest before moving to West Ham United in January 2009.
Kurucz quickly established himself in the club's reserve team before pushing on to become part of the first-team squad during the 2009/10 season.
Already capped by his country at Under-21 level, the Hungarian will be hoping to make further progress with at both domestic and international level in the future.
2010/11
Saw a promising pre-season under new goalkeeping coach David Coles ended by a freak knee injury in a reserve-team game on 7 August...Subsequent tests showed an anterior cruciate ligament injury ruling him out for the remainder of the season...Had previously appeared in first-team pre-season friendly victories over Peterborough United, VfL Borussia Monchengladbach and Panathinaikos.
2009/10
Completed a permanent move from Ujpest FC on a four-year contract on 3 June 2010…Featured in first-team pre-season friendly matches against Grays Athletic, SV Flavia Solva and ND Mura 05…Made his full West Ham United debut as a 73rd-minute substitute for the ill Robert Green in the 4-0 home Premier League defeat by Manchester United on 5 December 2009...Was named as substitute goalkeeper on 26 occasions in all competitions, including 24 times in the Premier League and twice in the League Cup…Made nine starts for West Ham United at Barclays Premier Reserve League South level.
2008/09
Joined West Ham United on loan from Ujpest FC in January 2009, with the move being delayed until international clearance was granted on 9 February 2009…Travelled with the first-team squad for the first time to Bolton Wanderers for the Barclays Premier League fixture on 21 February 2009…Made his competitive debut for West Ham United in the 2-0 Barclays Premier Reserve League South defeat to Aston Villa on 17 March 2009…Named as substitute goalkeeper for the Premier League visit to Everton on 16 May 2009…Totalled five Barclays Premier Reserve League South appearances.
International career
Capped eleven times by Hungary at U21 level.
Before West Ham United
Joined Ujpest FC as a child, signing his first professional contract in the summer of 2007…Spent part of 2007/08 season on loan at Hungarian First Division club FC Tatabanya, joining them between February and July 2008 and appearing nine times.
Any other business
Endorses Reusch Serie A Mega gloves…Is a massive fan of Italy goalkeepers Francesco Toldo and Gianluigi Buffon.