Maccabi Tel Aviv FC can announce that an agreement has been reached with Nick Blackman which will see him return to the club on a two-year-contract with an option for a third season. 

The 29-year-old Jewish forward has joined Maccabi on a free transfer and became the second signing of the 2019/20 season.

Maccabi CEO, Ben Mansford, told the club’s official website: “We are all delighted that Nick will be returning to Maccabi. Nick showed everyone what he was about during the 2017/18 season and therefore needs no real introduction. Nick came to meet Vladimir Ivic in Holland last week and it was clear that he was excited to become part of a Championship winning group and to play his part in pushing forward this season. We are pleased to be able to add him to the current squad. Nick will give Vlada another attacking option and this will add to the already strong competition across the front line. Welcome back Nick”.

Blackman scored 12 goals in 40 appearances for Maccabi in all competitions during the 2017/18 season – returns to the club. He scored the only goal of the game during Maccabi’s 1-0 Europa League group stage victory away to Villarreal and helped the side win the Toto Cup.

Maccabi Tel Aviv will hold their third and final preseason friendly this evening, Sunday at 19:00 when they face Sparta Rotterdam at their Holland training camp. The match will take place in Mierlo against the team from Holland’s top division.

This morning, the team continued their preparations for the new campaign and tomorrow Vladimir Ivic’s squad will make their way back to Israel for the Champions Cup on Saturday against Bnei Yehuda. A few days later, the Yellow & Blue will play their first Champions League Group Stage qualifier.

As for Maccabi’s rival this evening, Rotterdam was promoted to the Eredivisie this past season after finishing in 2nd place in the second league and advancing via the playoffs.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC and Hapoel Hadera reached an agreement on a season long  loan-deal for Haviv Ohayon.

The 20-year old goalkeeper who recently signed a three-year-contract extension at Maccabi, will rejoin Hadera where he spent six months on loan last season and made 9 appearances in all competitions. 

Maccabi Tel Aviv CEO, Ben Mansford, told the club’s official website: “We are pleased that after signing a new long term contract, Haviv will rejoin Hadera to compete for playing time, which in turn will aid his continued development”. 

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC and Hapoel Ra’anana reached an agreement for the sale of Or Dasa for an undisclosed fee. The midfielder who spent an 18-month-long loan-spell at Ra’anana scoring 3 league goals in 30 appearances in all competitions – will now make the move permanent after a deal was agreed between the two clubs.

Maccabi Tel Aviv CEO, Ben Mansford, told the club’s official website: “Or Dasa broke into the first team in the 2017/18 season and at the time brought some much needed energy and personality. Or is a brilliant person and is developing into an exciting footballer. After much discussion with Or and his family, we reluctantly agreed that it was time for Or to move on permanently. Maccabi will retain a significant interest in his future. Or leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Maccabi. Or – Thank you and good luck”.

A product of Maccabi’s Youth department, Dasa made his senior debut less than a month after his 17^th birthday at a Toto Cup match against Bnei Yehuda in October 2015. Dasa who kept playing for Maccabi’s U-19’s waited two more years before making another appearance for the senior side, but then experienced a memorable 11-day-spell. A Toto Cup appearance against Bnei Yehuda was followed by a senior League debut in the 5-2 victory over Hapoel Acco. Dasa, who represented Maccabi in the Youth Champions League group stage against Porto a couple of years earlier, made his senior European debut in the 1-0 Europa League group stage defeat to Astana. Three days later, Dasa, scored his senior maiden goal to give Maccabi a 1-0 victory over Hapoel Ra’anana.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s second preseason friendly of their Mierlo, Holland training camp saw them face the Belgium Champions Genk who have already booked their ticket to the Champions League Group Stages.

After falling to Union two days ago, Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included Andreas Gianniotis in goal, Maor Kandil, Jair Amador, Sheran Yeini, Ophir Davidzada, Dor Peretz, Avi Rikan, Dor Micha, Yonatan Cohen, Chico Ofoedu and Aaron Schoenfeld.

First Half
Maccabi took control of the contest early on, but a Genk corner saw Sébastien Dewaest jump over the Yellow & Blue defense to head home the ball past Gianniotis for a 1:0 lead.

Ivic’s squad tried to get back into the contest but had trouble creating chances while Genk also had issues finding opportunities to add to their advantage as the half ended with the Belgium outfit ahead 1:0.

Second Half
Ivic didn’t make any changes to his lineup as Maccabi tried to find Schoenfeld in the box as the Yellow & Blue out pressure on Genk trying to find the equalizer. In the 55’ Gianniotis almond the door on the Belgium’s from 7 meters to keep the score as is. However, two minutes later a give and go between Joseph Aidoo and Théo Bongonda left the latter with a cross that went off of Amador and into the Maccabi goal for a 2:0 Genk lead.

Immediately following the goal, Ivic made his first substitute introducing Ruslan Barsky for Micha and a minute later Kandil and Barsky teamed up to almost full back a goal. In the 63’ Itay Shechter came into the match for Schoenfeld as Maccabi continued to press for a goal as Rikan tested tiger Belgium keeper from outside of the box in the 65’. Three minutes later Cohen’s 18 meter free kick didn’t find the target as Eylon Almog entered the match in his place.

Finally in the 72’ Maccabi cut the lead to 2:1 after Shechter was down in the box and Ofoedu converted the penalty kick. Just as Maccabi looked for the equalizer, it was Jakub Piotrowski who scored from inside the area to give Genk a 3:1 advantage. As the match headed into injury time Zinho Gano scored from 11 meters to wrap up a 4:1 Genk victory.

Maccabi Tel Aviv will play their 3rd and final preseason friendly against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday.