June 2010. Maccabi Tel Aviv announced one of their most expensive and prestigious signings in club history. The young Bosnian National Team midfielder who grew up in the Netherlands and played for the Dutch Youth National Teams, Haris Medunjanin signed with the Yellow-and-Blue.

Medunjanin arrived at Kiryat Shalom after his La Liga side Real Valladolid were relegated to the second division. His first season with Maccabi was a success as the midfielder scored 13 goal under the tutelage of Yossi Mizrachi and Moti Ivanir. He even found the back of the goal in his Yellow-and-Blue debut, a 2:0 win against FK Mogren in a Europa League qualifying match. Medunjanin finished his first year making 43 appearances in all competitions while scoring 13 goals, (5 in Europe) and handed out 4 assists.

The 2011/12 season under coach Moti Ivanir looked to be starting off just as the prior season had as Medunjanin scored the lone Maccabi goal in a 2:1 defeat to Panathinaikos helping the club reach the group stages of the Europa League for the first time in their history. That same week, the Bosnian International scored his second goal in a 4:0 victory over SC Ashdod.

Medunjanin played in 23 matches during the course of the season, scoring two goals and adding two assists. When Sports Director Jordi Cruyff and new Head Coach Oscar Garcia arrived at Maccabi they decided to loan the midfielder to Turkish outfit Gaziantepspor with an option to buy him at the end of the season.

Brazil 2014 and signing with Deportivo La Coruna

After a successful first year in the Turkish League, his new club which finished in 10th place, decided to purchase his contact from Maccabi after appearing in 30 games and scoring 4 goals. The 2013/14 campaign was not as good as he had wanted it to go as he played in 32 matches, scoring only twice as the team ended the season in 15th position.

Medunjanin was included in the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad that headed to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and played in two matches against Nigeria and Argentina. This opportunity gave him the chance to find his way back to one of Europe’s top leagues, La Liga where he signed with Deportivo La Coruna.

This past Bosnian National Team campaign saw Medunjanin face Israel in the same 2016 Euro qualifying group. They began the tournament very poorly however, they were able to pick up the pace and finish in third place ahead of Israel. They were eventually eliminated by Ireland in a two-leg playoff for a ticket to the competition.

Medunjanin didn’t receive many minutes for his Spanish side and the coach Victor Sanchez decided to release the midfielder, allowing Maccabi to bring him back to Kiryat Shalom.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Spanish central defender Carlos Garcia was given last match off in the State Cup tournament and will be ready to go for Monday’s match against Beitar Jerusalem. Garcia talked about how the club felt after the 2:4 loss to Beitar at Bloomfield Stadium last round, wanting to win every match and thanked his coach Peter  Bosz:

“I want to thank the coach for the kind words he said about me, and I hope that he will think the same way at the end of the season.”

About  the last match against Beitar Jerusalem:

“Last game against Beitar was tough. We can’t concede 4 goals again. When you lose 2:4 at home like we did, it gave us plenty of motivation to make sure that it won’t happen again. We’re hungry for the chance to play them again. If we could have played Beitar right after that loss we would have shown our real qualities and what we really could do. We are all looking forward to the match.”

The winning attitude:

“Since I’ve been at Maccabi Tel Aviv we’ve always had to win every game and we expect to win every game. It doesn’t matter when or what, a friendly or not we have to win every game with Maccabi Tel Aviv.”

Peter Bosz, the Yellow-and-Blue head coach spoke to the assembled press about his side’s upcoming away match tomorrow evening against Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium in the capital city. The Dutch boss discussed the crucial match, Carlos Garcia and what he means to the team, the status of some of the injured players and the new signing, midfielder Haris Medunjanin:

“I wasn’t here in 2010 and I know him from Holland. He has had a fantastic career and he is player who has skills and technique that brings something extra to the game. We will have to see how fit he is and he will train with us. Remember he also played with the National Team and he played very well. He has trained in Spain  and as Carlos can tell you, you have to be fit and play at the highest level to have a chance to play. When he is fit he will bring something extra to the football club.”

What  Medunjanin brings to the table:

“When I look at the team in the midfield you need different types of players. Gal Alberman is a one type of player and Haris is something else, one who can put they ball in front of the goal and he is a type of player that we don’t have. We are looking for extra quality at this point.”

Player  availability for  tomorrow’s match:

“The 11 players who will play tomorrow will not be injured. The game a few days ago cost us a lot of energy and some players came up a bit injured. But we didn’t play all of the players like Nosa and Carlos, so they can play tomorrow. There are also some players who played against Rishon who will play as well. Players that are on Maccabi must be used to playing twice a week. Orlando had a some issues with his knee but nothing serious. Avi (Rikan) has had a fever for three days and (defender)Tal Ben Haim will train today, so we will see after the training if he will play tomorrow.”

Gili Vermouth’s status with the club:

“Gili is with me and trains with me, I’m working with the players I have and he plays and trains with us. I love to have him in my squad. If I don’t want a player in my squad I would say so.”

On  why Caros Garcia wasn’t included in Thursday night’s squad:

“I think Carlos is fantastic. I am really happy he is here and I’m happy that he is sitting right next to me. He is a winner and he will play tomorrow. I told him that he was going to sit out as he’s played in every game since I’ve been here and we have plenty of players who can play that position like Omri, Tal, Eitan. I don’t ever remember that we had a player of his quality in Holland.”

About  the last  Maccabi match against Beitar Jerusalem:

“I watched that game and I always want to learn from the past. We have a way of playing now and we have won all five games since I’ve been here. Most importantly I always look forward, They are a good team, 3rd in the league but we also have a very good team. It will be an interesting game.”

Haris Medunjanin returns for second spell at Maccabi Tel Aviv after the 30-year-old Bosnian international successfully underwent a medical this morning and signed a 1.5-year-deal for the club.

Medunjanin, who scored 15 goals in 66 appearances for Maccabi between 2010 and 2012 joins the club from Spanish outfit Deportivo La Coruna on a free transfer and will receive the number 4 shirt.

Maccabi’s CEO Martin Bain: “Obviously Haris has been at Maccabi in the past and both the player and the club have since evolved and developed. We look forward to welcoming his return”.

Sports Director Jordi Cruyff added of the new signing: “In our search for the adequate profile to strengthen the club we really liked the fact that Haris is a talented and mature player with international experience playing for Bosnia. The fact he played in Israel in the past also makes it easy for his adaptation and we want his strong personality and feel that it is the right timing for the player and the club”.

Medunjanin told the clubs’ official website:  “I am happy to be here and delighted the club gave me a chance to do what I didn’t in the past and that is winning titles for Maccabi Tel Aviv. I heard that the club has changed since I was last here, and I can’t wait to meet my new and some of my old teammates”.

Avi Rikan will be taking on Beitar Jerusalem, one of his former club’s on Monday night at Teddy Stadium. But before he hits the pitch he answered some of your great Facebook questions:

“Alright, you asked me some questions now it’s time for me to give you some answers.”

You played for two different teams against Basel. Which team did you have more fun with when you played them?

“For those who don’t know I played for FC Zurich in the Swiss League and also for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Champions League qualifying against Basel. It was a lot more fun with Maccabi because we advanced to the Champions League when we played them. We had two draws but we scored more away goals and we made it into Europe. It was a great feeling to be able to do that.

I also played in a match for Zurich against Basel where I scored and assisted on a goal in their stadium so that was pretty cool, but at the end of the day it was much more fun with Maccabi!”

Do you know the words for the song that the fans sing to you at the games and do you like it?

“Of course I know the song and it’s from Eyal Golan where in the original version he sings it to his mother. I know the words and my teammates also sing it to me in the lockerroom. Rikan, Avi Rikan, that’s the song.”

You can play many positions on the pitch. Which is your favorite and where do you think you help the team the most?

“You’re correct, I can play many positions and in the past I did so as well. At Maccabi, I’ve played as a midfielder and as a left back. But I have to say I prefer to play in the midfield because that is a bit more of an offensive spot and I can help out scoring and creating goals. But I’ve always said I’ll play anywheres as long as I can help the club and it doesn’t matter where. I’ll always do the maximum, but put me in the midfield!”

How does it feel to play at Maccabi Tel Aviv from both the football and professional point of view? You started in Maale Adumim, so was this the realization of a dream for you?

“I grew up at Maccabi Maale Adumim, it’s a small town near Jerusalem. It’s an honor to be able to represent my town where everybody knows each other. As I continued on the path to becoming a professional footballer more and more people from Maale Adumim got to know who I was and today almost everyone knows me. When I’m there, I always hear nice things and it’s pretty neat. I’m happy being with Maccabi and where I currently play.”

What do think about the battle for the title with Beer Sheva and do you think Maccabi is better?

“I think Beer Sheva is a very strong team this season. There are still two titles left and I’m sure they will fight for both of them right to the end. I think that Maccabi Tel Aviv is a good team as well and we will also fight for both titles. It will be close right until the end of the year.”

“Thanks for all of the questions but if I stay here and answer them all, I’ll be late for practice!”

Shlomi Azulay joined the Yellow-and-Blue back in August after playing one year with Beitar Jerusalem. The midfielder sat down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with the Official Website prior to his Teddy Stadium return and facing his former club:

Joining Maccabi Tel Aviv:

“When I got the news I was in shock. Every player wants to be with the best club in Israel. I looked back at my start with Maccabi Haifa and when I played with teams in the Leumit league. When Maccabi Tel Aviv comes calling you have to listen.”

Advancing in his career:

“I spent a year with Beitar Jerusalem and it was a good season. I could have stayed and been a dominant player, but this was an opportunity for me to continue to advance and to strive to reach higher and higher levels. This was a chance to play and practice with the best players in the country.”

About his father:

“My father came with me to almost every practice, as many as he could. He became sick and it was a tough time as I was home with the family but my brothers had already moved out. I sat with my father while he was sick and we all came together to strengthen each other, but it took a lot out of all of us. After he passed away, I really focused on what he always wanted for me. Now that I’m with Maccabi Tel Aviv, I am continuing to live his dreams and that’s why I always point up to the sky in his memory. I also have the word “Abba” father on my left wrist and I kiss it as well, kind of like a prayer.”

Progressing:

“My breakthrough came when I was a bit older with the Maccabi Haifa youth team and we took a pair of championships. I was young and I wasn’t ready to jump to the top leagues just yet. But it was good that it took me some time with lower division teams and I continued my progress.”

Scoring against Hapoel Tel Aviv or Maccabi Haifa?

“Well I haven’t experienced a derby yet and they say that a Tel Aviv derby is the biggest game in the country. Maccabi Haifa was where I started as a 13-year old, took two championships and was captain of the youth side. I was disappointed how it ended, so let’s just leave it at that.”

Cafe or Bar?

“The local cafe.”

Did you sit in the front or the back of the bus?

“No question, the back of the bus. I loved the craziness and all of the noise.”

What position do you really want to play?

“Midfield. You’ve got to be intelligent and quick on your toes.”

Trip to the Golan, two weeks in Thailand or two weeks in New York?

“I’m not so much into the Golan. Thailand’s a bit more interesting but I’ll take New York.”

Which reality show would you want to take part in?

“Race for the Million. I love the challenges, it makes it interesting.”

At Beitar you were number 8 and here you’re number 16?

“I wanted to take number 8, but let’s just say it wasn’t available. It’s an iconic number. I took 8 + 8 and got 16.”

Tell us something we don’t know about you:

“I’m a shy guy. Getting more into religion and I love challenges.”