Portuguese forward Xande Silva has joined Hapoel Tel Aviv from MLS side St. Louis City: “Visiting Bloomfield was an emotional moment for me – it’s a great honor to represent this club״
Silva, 28, arrived in Israel last night, successfully completed his medicals, and signed his contract. He will wear the number 10 shirt.
A versatile attacker who plays on both wings and as a second striker, Silva came through the youth academies of Sporting Lisbon and Vitória Guimarães, where he also made his senior debut. He has 50 appearances for Portugal’s youth national teams, scoring 15 goals.
In the summer of 2018/19, Silva was signed by West Ham United, featuring mainly for the club’s reserves. He later moved to Aris Thessaloniki, making 33 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing three assists. Afterward, he joined French side Dijon, where he recorded six goals and three assists in 33 matches.
In 2023, Atlanta United purchased Silva from Dijon for €3.5 million. During his time in MLS, he played 47 matches, netting seven goals and adding four assists.
Following his signing, Silva said: “I’m very happy and excited to be here. Visiting Bloomfield today was a very emotional experience, and it’s a huge honor for me to represent this club. I hope we can start the season in the best possible way on Saturday. Yalla Hapoel!”
Welcome, Xande!
The Brazilian center-back has joined on loan from Recife, with an option to purchase at the end of the season: “The club’s history and its wonderful fans make joining Hapoel a great honor for״
Chico Alves has signed with the club for one season on loan from Brazilian side Recife, with an option to buy at the end of the term. The defender landed in Israel early this morning, completed his medical examinations, and took part in his first training session in red. Chico will wear shirt number 4.
The 26-year-old, standing 1.88 meters tall, has spent most of his career at Sport Recife in his native Brazil, apart from a loan spell at Grêmio Novorizontino.
Last season, he made 28 appearances in all competitions for Recife, who play in Brazil’s top division, 24 of them as a starter.
After signing, Chico said: “I’m excited to join Hapoel and grateful for the warm welcome. The club’s history, combined with its wonderful fans, makes this a true honor for me. With hard work and commitment, I believe we can achieve great things together. Yalla Hapoel!”
Good luck, Chico!
Today (Thursday), following the team’s training session, an emotional ceremony was held at the Hodorov training complex in memory of Hezi Yaakobi – a devoted fan who tragically passed away from cardiac arrest during a match last season.
Yaakobi family, generously donated and installed a defibrillator at the training facility to be used by the club in case of emergency.
In recent months, the family launched a fundraising campaign to honor Hezi’s memory in a meaningful way – and successfully reached their goal, thanks in large part to the warm embrace and support of Hapoel fans.
Sharon Yaakobi, Hezi’s widow, gave a short demonstration to the players and coaching staff on how to use the device – aiming to raise awareness and potentially save lives.
Club CEO Guy Primor, team manager Salim Tuama, and club captain Fernand Mayembo presented the family with a special gift on behalf of the club – as a token of appreciation for their moving and important gesture.
Forever remembering Hezi | Together, always ♾️❤️
Hapoel Tel Aviv’s main sponsor, IBI Investment House, is strengthening its partnership with the club: Open a self-managed trading account with IBI Smart and receive a season ticket for Hapoel Tel Aviv Football Club.
The investment house will purchase up to 500 new season tickets - in a record-breaking year for ticket sales.
IBI Investment House, the main sponsor of Hapoel Tel Aviv Football Club, is deepening its collaboration with the team and, for the first time, launching a unique offer for football and investment enthusiasts: Open a new trading account via the IBI Smart app and receive a season ticket for all of Hapoel Tel Aviv’s home matches in the 2025/26 season. As part of the initiative, IBI will purchase up to 500 new season tickets from the club for new customers - in a season that has already set an all-time record of 12,000 season ticket holders.
Dave Lubetzky, CEO of IBI Investment House, said: ״With this step, IBI is expanding its cooperation with the team beyond sponsorship, increasing its support for Hapoel in a way that benefits all parties and strengthens Israeli sports. Together, we’re setting a new benchmark for the club’s season ticket sales״.
The young goalkeeper secures his future at Hapoel: “A significant and exciting step for me, but for me this is just the beginning”
Dor Binyamini has signed a new four-year contract with the club and will wear the goalkeeper’s jersey at least until the end of the 2028/29 season.
Binyamini (20) joined the club ahead of the 2023/24 season after three years in Maccabi Petah Tikva’s youth academy, and in that same season led our youth team.
This past season, he was part of the senior squad and made his first-team debut on the final matchday of the season, keeping a clean sheet in a win over Hapoel Kfar Saba.
Dor is a member of Israel’s Olympic national team and made his debut in a friendly against Bulgaria this past June. He has also made appearances for the U18 and U19 national teams.
After signing, Binyamini said: “I’m the happiest person in the world to sign a long-term deal with this great club, which is also my home. It’s a significant step for me, and I’m sure this is just the beginning. I’m grateful to the club for the trust — now it’s my time to repay it on the pitch, keep working hard, improve every day, and give everything for the badge. Yalla Hapoel!”
Good luck, Dor!
The Bulgarian national team midfielder landed in Israel, signed his contract, and held his first training session: ״Excited to be here, can’t wait to meet the fans״
Andrian Kraev has signed a three-year contract with the club, following the completion of his transfer from Portuguese side Casa Pia. The player arrived in Israel this morning and took part in his first training session in red this evening. Kraev will wear the number 6 shirt.
Kraev (26) is a central midfielder standing at 1.94 meters tall. Last season, he played for Casa Pia in Portugal’s top division, making 27 appearances across all competitions and ranking among the league leaders in aerial and defensive duels.
Before his time in Portugal, Andrian spent four seasons at Bulgarian club Levski Sofia, where he served as team captain and made 109 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists.
Over the past three years, Kraev has also become a key figure for the Bulgarian national team, earning 13 caps.
Following his signing, Kraev said: "I’m happy to be here and excited to join a big club like Hapoel Tel Aviv. I’ve seen videos of the fans and I can’t wait to meet them and play for them. Thanks to the staff for the warm welcome — Yalla Hapoel!
Good luck, Andrian!
The experienced defender will continue with the senior team for another two seasons: "I’m determined to help the team achieve its goals"
Shai Perl has signed with the club for two more years and will continue to lead the team’s defensive line.
28-year-old Perl joined us last year and made 24 appearances in all competitions. In the past, she played for SC Sand in Germany, Hapoel Petach Tikva (three stints), the Girls' Football Academy, Maccabi Kishronot Ramat Hasharon (two stints), and Hapoel Ra’anana. In the 2019/20 season, she won the Israeli Championship with Ramat Hasharon.
She has 18 caps with the Israeli senior national team and also played for the youth national teams earlier in her career.
Following the signing, Perl said: "I'm happy and excited to continue in the red uniform. I’m ready for the challenges ahead and determined to help the team reach its goals."
Good luck, Shai!
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv has reached an agreement to acquire Andrian Kraev from Portuguese side Casa Pia. The 26-year-old Kraev is expected to arrive in Israel in the coming days ahead of joining the club
Hapoel has finalized the signing of midfielder Andrian Kraev from Casa Pia. The Bulgarian national team player will arrive in Israel in the coming days and will sign a three-year contract, pending a medical examination.
Kraev (26), a central midfielder 1.94 meters tall, played last season for Casa Pia in Portugal's top division. He made 27 appearances across all competitions and was among the league leaders in aerial and defensive duels.
Before his time in Portugal, Andrian played 4 seasons at Bulgarian club Levski Sofia, where he served as team captain and made 109 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists.
Over the past three years, Kraev has also become a key player in the Bulgarian national team, with 13 appearances.
Hapoel returns home as they host Hapoel Jerusalem in the Toto Cup – ticket sales are now open
Two months is just too long. We’ve all missed Bloomfield, and on Tuesday – Hapoel is coming back to their home stadium.
After a successful season opener against Hapoel Petah Tikva, the team will host its first home match of the season at Bloomfield, facing Hapoel Jerusalem in Matchday 3 of the Toto Cup group stage. The match will take place this Tuesday (29/7) at 20:00.
Tickets are now available on the “Leaan” website.
Season ticket holders? The match is included in your subscription!
Click here to buy a season ticket
