Back to work. After a break of around a month, Maccabi returned today (Wednesday) to the Kiryat Shalom training complex and held the opening training session for the 2025/26 season.

The Israeli champions kicked off preparations with the local players who are currently in Israel. Among the first to take the field were new signings Itamar Noy, Yoav Gerafi, and Noam Ben Harush. Meanwhile, the foreign players and coaching staff who are abroad gathered in Serbia and began training there as well.

Prior to that, the players completed over the past few days their medical tests at the Shamir Medical Center.

Maccabi will step up preparations with a training camp which will be held in Hungary between June 30th and July 9th. Maccabi play their first match of the 2025/26 season as they host State Cup holders Hapoel Be’ersheva for the Israeli Super Cup on July 13th.

Maccabi Tel Aviv is delighted to announce the signing of Ion Nicolaescu on a 3-year deal.

The 26-year-old Moldovan international striker becomes Maccabi’s fifth addition ahead of the 2025/26 season, joining from Dutch side SC Heerenveen, on a 3-year-deal with an option to extend.

Nicolaescu, (184cm) who scored 17 goals in 49 matches during 2 seasons at Heerenveen, successfully completed his medical and joined the players and staff in Serbia.

Nicolaescu told the Club’s official website: “I am truly honored to join the Israeli champions and such a prestigious club with an incredible fan base – something I have experienced firsthand in Israel. I can’t wait to wear the Maccabi shirt, begin working hard, and give my utmost. I look forward to seeing you all at Bloomfield Stadium. Yalla Maccabi !”  

Nicolaescu who has 17 goals in 53 international appearances for the Moldova national side, began his playing career at the Youth Academy of Zimbru Chisinau. He made his senior debut at the age of 18 before being transferred in 2018 to Shaktyor Soligorsk of Belarus. Nine goals in 18 appearances during a loan spell at FK Vitebsk led to a move to Slovakian side DAC Dunasjska Streda in 2020. During a loan spell at Maccabi Petah Tikva, Nicolaescu scored 5 goals in 18 appearances in all competitions. A move to Beitar Jerusalem for the 2022/23 season resulted with 19 in 33 appearances in all competitions that saw him help Beitar win the State Cup.

Preparations for the 2025/26 season are underway as Maccabi recently conducted its traditional medical tests, which were held at the Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh Hospital). Yesterday, the players underwent a series of tests at various stations.

Tomorrow (Tuesday), the players who are currently in Israel will get together at Kiryat Shalom and hold the first session. At the same time, the foreign players and the coaching staff will begin training in Serbia. The plan is for the locally based squad to depart on the 30th for the training camp in Hungary where they will be reunited with the rest of squad and staff.

Orel Baye joins Hapoel Jerusalem after an agreement was reached between the two clubs for a season-long loan deal.

The 21-year-old winger who scored 11 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions during a loan spell with Ramat Hasharon last season, will join Hapoel Jerusalem on loan for the 2025/26 campaign.

Baye was part of the Israel U19 side that in the summer of 2022 won the silver medal in the U19 European Championship finals. Baye has 2 goals to his name represented Israel’s young national sides on 10 international matches.

Good luck Orel.

Ofir Davidzada will be leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv after eight successful seasons in Yellow and Blue during which he won 13 trophies.

The 34-year-old defender, who joined Maccabi in the summer of 2017 and scored 7 goals in 231 appearances in all competitions, is ranked eighth among the players who represented the club in Europe, with 51 international appearances.

During eight seasons in the Yellow and Blue, Davidzada won 13 titles: 4 league Championships (18/19, 19/20, 23/24, and 24/25), the State Cup (20/21), 5 Toto Cups (17/18, 18/19, 20/21, 23/24, and 24/25), and 3 Super Cups (19/20, 20/21, and 24/25).

Davidzada qualified to the Europa League group stage three times (17/18, 20/21, and 24/25), the Conference League group stage twice (21/22 and 2023/24), the Round of 32 twice, and the Round of 16 once.

 Thank you, Ofir, and best of luck.

After winning the championship for the second season in succession, Maccabi will begin its 2025/26 European campaign in the Champions League 2nd qualifying round.

The draw which took place at UEFA’s Headquarters in Nyon Switzerland paired Maccabi with the Champions of Cyprus who are expected to host the first leg. The final date and venue of the matches will be announced at a later time.

Maccabi will host its 2025/26 European qualifiers at Backa Topola’s TSC Arena in Serbia. The 4531- capacity stadium hosted Maccabi during the 2023/24 Conference League campaign.

As in last season: Updated Champions League format

In order to reach the Champions League phase, Maccabi will need to progress through three qualifying rounds (the 2^nd round, 3^rd round, and Playoff). In the event a team is eliminated at any stage of their Champions League qualifiers, it will drop into the Europa League qualifying rounds. Due to UEFA’s format changes, the Champions League will be held this season in a new structure featuring 36 clubs. In the first league phase, each club will play eight matches. The top eight clubs at the end of this phase will advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing in 9-24 will compete in a playoff for a place among the final 16.

Although the summer break is in full swing, Maccabi Tel Aviv players were in action over the past week featuring for their national teams.

Israel National Team

Last Friday, the national team beat Estonia 3-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Tallin. Dor Turgeman (66 minutes) provided the assist for Israel’s opening goal, while Dor Peretz, who came on as a substitute for the final 19 minutes, won a penalty that led to Israel’s third goal. Raz Shlomo, Idan Nachmias and Roy Revivo all played the entire 90 minutes World Cup qualifier for the final tournament which is set to take place next summer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

On Tuesday evening, Israel recorded a 1–0 friendly victory over Slovakia in Debrecen, Hungary. Maccabi’s new signing Itamar Noy made his full international debut as the midfielder came on for the final 25 minutes. Revivo who was taken off in the 82^nd minute registered another assist for Israel’s winning goal. Idan Nachmias and Stav Lemkin resumed their Maccabi defensive partnership for 90 more minutes. Dor Turgeman 66^th and Raz Shlomo 75^th made two second half substitute appearances as well.

Photo courtesy of the Israel Football Association

Stojić Represents Serbia

Nemanja Stojic, ebjoyed a successful evening with Serbia as the 27-year-old central defender started for his national side that beat Andorra 3–0 in a World Cup qualifier. Stojic played 76 minutes before being substituted after he was an unused substitute in Serbia’s 0–0 with Albania.

Israel Under-21’s

Last Thursday, Israel’s Under-21 national side recorded a 3–0 friendly victory over Bulgaria. Maccabi’s new defensive addition, Noam Ben Harush, scored a spectacular goal while Saied Abu Farhi, Ido Oli, and Noam Schwartz also featured.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Roman as the new Head Coach of the club’s Under-19 team, Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shahar’.

Roman, (42) who played at Maccabi between 2007 – 2009, making 39 appearances in all competitions, arrives after most recently coaching Maccabi Petah Tikva’s senior team.

Following his appointment Roman told the club’s official website: “I am happy to return to a place I know well and have fond memories of. It is a privilege for me to take part in shaping the next generation of this great club, and I am confident that with dedication, hard work, and professionalism, we will build a strong and solid foundation for the years ahead”

Maccabi’s Youth Academy Director, Gadi Brumer, added: “We are delighted to welcome Dan to the Youth Academy as he joins us for this very important role. Player development has always been at the forefront of our club, and Dan is a young, progressive, and detailed coach whose role is a crucial one in preparing players for the next significant step in their development journeys. We wish Dan all the best as the coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shahar’.”

Roman began his coaching career in 2015 with Maccabi’s Youth Department. In 2018, he was appointed head coach of Hapoel Tel Aviv’s Under-16 team and later served as assistant coach to the senior side. From 2021 to 2024, he led the Maccabi Netanya Under-19 team and briefly served as interim coach of the senior team.
Last summer, Roman was appointed head coach of Maccabi Petah Tikva’s first team, a position he held until December 2024.

As a player, Roman began his career at Hapoel Jerusalem and later played for Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Petah Tikva, Hapoel Ramat Gan, Dutch side SC Veendam, Beitar Tel Aviv Ramla, Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem, and Maccabi Sha’arayim, before retiring and transitioning into coaching.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC has exercised the option to retain Head Coach Zarko Lazetic for the 2025/26 campaign.

The 43-year-old Serbian who led Maccabi to win the League Championship, Toto Cup and Super Cup alongside a successful Europa League campaign at his first season in charge, will remain as Head Coach during next season as well.

Good luck Zarko!