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!

Yoav Gerafi joined Maccabi after signing a two-year-deal.

The 31-year-old goalkeeper joined Maccabi from Hapoel Haifa after signing a two-year deal with an option to extend by a further season.

Gerafi, who is a member of the Israel national team squad for which he made 4 international appearances told the club’s official website: “I am truly honoured and thrilled to join the most decorated club in Israel. With dedication and hard work, I am confident we can achieve great things together.”

A product of Hapoel Kfar Sava’s youth academy, Gerafi, made his senior debut at the age of 18 before moving to Ashdod SC in 2013. In 10 seasons at Ashdod Gerafi made 196 appearances in all competitions and gained further experience during loan spells at Hapoel Ra’anana (14/15) and Hapoel Tel Aviv (19/20).

In the summer of 2023 Gerafi joined Hapoel Haifa and in two seasons at the club made 68 appearances in all competitions and helped his side qualify to the top playoff ending the season in 4^th and fifth place, respectively.

 

Itamar Noy joined Maccabi Tel Aviv after signing a 2-year-deal.

The 24-year-old midfielder joined Maccabi from Hapoel Haifa after signing a 2-year-deal with an option to extend.

Last season he made 37 appearances in all competitions for Hapoel Haifa, and a total of 77 appearances in the last 2 seasons.

After signing his contract, Noy told the Club’s official website: “I am very excited to sign for Maccabi Tel Aviv and am looking forward to the challenge. I am aware of the high expectations that come from wearing the Yellow jersey and am ready to work hard to help the team to achieve our goals.”

A product of Hapoel Bnei Lod’s Youth Department, Noy, made his senior debut in August 2018 at the age of 17. Noy then moved to A.S Ashdod for the 2021/22 season and scored 12 league goals in 37 appearances for the second division side.

A move to second division Austrian side First Vienna for the 2022/23 season, saw Noy score four goals in 27 appearances and finish 7^th in the table.

Noy represented Israel’s young national sides at U-21 level making two friendly appearances against Ukraine and Georgia in 2022.

Maccabi Tel Aviv is delighted to announce the signing of Noam Ben Harush on a four-year deal.

The 20-year-old full-back becomes Maccabi’s  second addition ahead of the 2025/26 season, joining from Hapoel Haifa on a four-year-deal with an option to extend.

Ben Harush told the club’s official website: “I am happy to join a prestigious club like Maccabi Tel Aviv, with a huge and passionate fanbase. Hard work has guided me throughout my career, and I’m confident that at Maccabi I can continue to grow and contribute to the club’s success.”

He began his football journey in the youth departments of Maccabi Haifa, Neve Yosef, and Beitar Tubruk, before moving to Hapoel Haifa where he continued his development.

He made his senior debut for Hapoel Haifa at the age of 18 in April 2023 and quickly established himself as a first team player. Over two seasons, Ben Harush made 78 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and helping his team secure top-four and top-five finishes in the league table.

Despite his young age, Ben Harush has a wealth of international experience with the young Israel national teams at U17, U19, U20, U21, and U23 levels with a total of 34 appearances. His international résumé includes appearances in three major tournaments: the UEFA U17 European Championship (Israel 2022), the FIFA U20 World Cup (Argentina 2023), and the Olympic Games (Paris 2024).

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC exercised the options on the contracts of Dor Peretz, Roi Mishpati, and Avishai Cohen by one more season until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Dor Peretz (30) who made his senior debut in 2014, has since scored 63 goals in a total of 386 appearances for Maccabi – will continue for an 11^th season.

Roi Mishpati (32) who joined Maccabi in the summer of 2023 and has since made 68 appearances – will continue for a 3^rd season.

Avishay Cohen (28) will continue for a 3^rd season with Maccabi after making 38 appearances in his two campaigns at the Club. 

Maccabi also exercised the options in the contracts of Amit Glazer (23), Itay Ben Hamo (23) and Shon Edri (21).

Maccabi Tel Aviv is delighted to announce the signing of Ben Lederman on a two-year deal.

The 25-year-old US born midfielder becomes Maccabi’s first addition ahead of the 2025/26 season, joining from Polish side Raków Częstochowa, on a two-year-deal with an option to extend.

After completing his signing, Lederman, told Maccabi’s official website: “It’s a real privilege to sign for such a prestigious club with an incredible history. I’m excited about the move to Tel Aviv and can’t wait to get started. Stepping out at Bloomfield and playing in front of our fans will be a special moment.”

Lederman made his early footballing footsteps at Barcelona’s Youth Academy ‘La Masia’, the IMG Academy in Florida and Belgian side Gent.

During a short stint with Hakoah Ramat Gan in 2020, Lederman made his senior debut for the third division side at the age of 19 before moving to Poland and joining Rakow.

In five seasons at Rakow, Lederman helped his side win 5 trophies – the Polish championship (22/23), The Polish Cup (20/21 and 21/22) as well as the Polish Super Cup (21/22 and 22/23). Lederman scored 3 goals in a total of 125 appearances in all competitions 15 of which in UEFA’s European competitions.

Lederman represented the US at U15s and U17 levels as well as the Polish U21’s for which he made 3 appearances.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC wishes to thank Simon Sluga for his services to the Club during this unforgettable season in Yellow and Blue.

Sluga joined the Club in October 2024 made 19 appearances for the Club in all competitions and won the League Championship and Toto Cup.

Thank you, Simon, for all you have done at Maccabi and good luck in your future endeavors.