István Kozma

István Kozma (born 3 December 1964) is a former Hungarian footballer who played as a midfielder. He was the first Hungarian player to ever play in the Premier League on 26 September 1992, when he appeared for Liverpool as a substitute against Wimbledon, playing 7 minutes.

Kozma began his career at Salgótarjáni TC in Hungary. He then moved to Újpest FC, followed by Bordeaux, and the Scottish team Dunfermline Athletic. At Dunfermline, he became a fan favourite playing in 103 matches. In 1992, he was purchased by Liverpool, making his debut in a match against Ipswich Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup

At Dunfermline, Kozma became a "firm fan favourite" playing 103 times and scoring nine goals. In February 1992, he was a shock purchase for Liverpool, with Graeme Souness signing the Hungarian for £300,000. Kozma made his debut in a goalless draw against Ipswich Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup, but never looked like breaking into the first team at Liverpool. In the 1991–92 season he made five league appearances and two in the FA Cup. In the 1992–93 season, he played in the 1992 FA Charity Shield and then made one league appearance as a substitute and one further substitute appearance in the League Cup, before being released in July 1993. He was forced to leave the UK due to regulations affecting non-EU citizens, which required them to have played at least 75 per cent of their club and national team matches. With only 3 appearances following his transfer from Dunfermline, Kozma lost his visa.

He then returned to Újpest FC, signing a one year deal.

Kozma also appeared for the Scottish Football League XI in a 1990 fixture against Scotland, to mark the centenary of the Scottish Football League. The match finished 1-0 to the League XI.

Coaching career From season 2006–07, he was working as an assistant manager at Vasas SC.

In May 2013, Kozma returned to Újpest as manager. After just five months, Kozma left his position at the club in October 2013, being sacked altogether after initially being transferred to the role of video analyst instead.

Career statistics Club

International

Hungary score listed first, score column indicates score after each Kozma goal

Honours Dunfermline Athletic Scottish League Cup: Runner-up, 1991

APOEL Cypriot First Division: 1995–96 Cypriot Cup: 1995–96, 1996–97 Cypriot Super Cup: 1996, 1997

Ujpest Nemzeti Bajnokság I: 1997–98