Former Premier League star Akos Buzsaky confirms he is safe after being reported missing

Former Premier League midfielder Akos Buzsaky has released a statement allaying fears over his safety after being reported missing in Hungary.

QPR, one of Buzsaky’s former clubs, also confirmed on Friday morning that the 44-year-old is alive and well.

Hungarian media had claimed the ex-Plymouth and Portsmouth player had not been seen for a week, but he clarified the situation was a misunderstanding resulting from a need to step away after difficult times.

“Unfortunately, in the past few months, there have been serious changes in my life that have tested me,” Buzsaky said in a statement.

“There came a moment when I felt I had to break away from these daily routines.

“Thank you very much for all the concern and thoughts you have shown me. As soon as I learned about the situation, I stopped my retreat and informed the authorities.

“I wish everyone a very nice day and it felt really good to receive so much love.”

Buzsaky has previously spoken about his off-field struggles after retiring from football in 2015 due to injury problems.

Speaking on a podcast following his retirement, Buzsaky 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.”

Bukzsaky started his career in his homeland of Hungary for MTK Budapest before joining Portuguese giants Porto in 2002, where he played under Jose Mourinho.

He was sent out on loan to another Portuguese team, Academica, for the 2003-04 season when Porto won the Champions League, leading to Mourinho being snapped up by Chelsea.

In 2005, Buzsaky made the move over to England to join Plymouth Argyle, and he went on to have a brief loan spell at QPR before completing a permanent transfer in 2008.

He would spent the next four years in west London prior to moving to Portsmouth, while he also had a loan spell at Barnsley.

On the international stage, Buzsaky represented Hungary 20 times, scoring two goals for his country.