"The team has returned to Israel after 10 intensive days in Cyprus. Barda: 'I thank the owner Edmond Safra and the club's management for the conditions provided to us to help the team reconnect"

Hapoel landed in Israel this evening (Monday), following a ten-day training camp on the neighboring island. The club's management and professional staff saw great importance in holding the camp, which achieved its goals: team bonding, reconnecting the squad, and optimal preparation for the return of the league. As a reminder, the team is expected to return to action in exactly one week when they host Maccabi Haifa for Matchday 25 (April 6, 20:30).

Over the course of the training camp, three preparation matches were played against local teams. In the first, they won 2:0 against Ayia Napa (goals by Korine and Omri Levi); in the second, they won 5:2 against Spartakos (goals by Buskila, Archel, and a hat-trick by Dappa); and in the final match, they lost 1:0 to Olympiakos Nicosia.

The foreign players: Marcus Coco, Xande Silva, Captain Fernand Mayembo, and Emmanuel Boateng - returned to Israel with the team. Chico Alves and Lucas Falcão are expected to return by the weekend, alongside Andrian Kraev and Loizos Loizou, who are wrapping up their national team duties.

Amit Lemkin and Roei Alkukin, who are currently with the Israel U-21 national team, will return to Israel before the eve of the holiday. Stav Toriel, who was on duty with the Israel national team, joined the squad for the final days of the camp.

Head coach Elyaniv Barda summarized the training camp: "First and foremost, I would like to express my condolences to the families of the fallen and the murdered in the war, pray for the recovery of the wounded, and thank our heroic soldiers for everything they do for us. On behalf of myself, the players, and the staff, I want to thank the owner Edmond Safra and the club's management for the top-tier conditions provided to us during this complex period, allowing us to prepare the team in the best possible way for the moment we return to the pitch - this is not something we take for granted. We had ten days at a high tempo, including three preparation matches, and I feel they helped us reconnect in every aspect. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our fans a Happy Passover, and above all—physical and mental health. Looking forward to seeing you soon".

IBI Investment House will continue to serve as the club's main sponsor for the next three years, under a new agreement that could reach 5.5 million NIS per season. Club CEO, Guy Primor: "A partnership that strengthens the club's foundations and supports our goals on and off the pitch." CEO of IBI Investment House, Dave Lubetzky: "The extension of the agreement reflects our vote of confidence in the club and the path it is forging"

We are delighted to announce the extension of our agreement with IBI Investment House, under which the company will provide the main sponsorship for the club for the next three years, starting from the 2026/27 season. The total sum could reach 5.5 million NIS per season and potentially even exceed that, depending on the team's success in domestic and European competitions.

The partnership between Hapoel Tel Aviv and IBI Investment House began about five years ago and has now been extended as part of a long-term strategic vision shared by both organizations. The bond between IBI Investment House and Hapoel has become one of the most prominent and stable in Israeli sports, integrating professional, community, and business activities around the "Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv" brand.

As part of the agreement, the team will continue to be called "Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv," and the company's logo will remain on the front of the players' jerseys. Furthermore, the agreement also includes sponsorship for the women's team, the Hapoel "Shavim" team, and the club's youth team.

Additionally, the parties will organize content activities, community initiatives, and joint events with the team's players and fans throughout the seasons.

Guy Primor, Club CEO: "The continued partnership with IBI is a testament to the mutual trust built over the years, establishing a true strategic alliance. This partnership strengthens the club's foundations, supports our professional goals for the coming seasons, and enables us to keep aiming high both on and off the pitch."

Dave Lubetzky, CEO of IBI Investment House: "Extending the agreement for another three years reflects our vote of confidence in the club and the direction it is heading. We are highly satisfied with the club's level of management, its phenomenal journey, and its sporting achievements.

"Many people encounter IBI through sports, via the logo on the jersey, or via the pitch and the stands. These are connections of joy, belonging, and hope that endure over time.

"Especially during these times, we are happy to be partners in the small moments of happiness that only sports can generate—and we feel the appreciation from fans and sports enthusiasts in Israel for our contribution. We are proud to continue being part of this excellent club for at least the next three years".

​Last night (Friday), all the team's foreign players and staff arrived in Ayia Napa, and today they officially kicked off the training camp.

The players will undergo two training sessions daily in preparation for the resumption of league matches.

The camp will be led by assistant coaches David Samaniego Garcia and Dušan Matović, along with fitness coach Julio Martinez.

The Brazilian centre-back will keep making the Red crowd smile until 2029: “An honour words cannot describe. I hope we experience great moments and achievements together”

The club has exercised the purchase option in the contract of Chico Alves. The 27-year-old defender has signed on for three additional seasons beyond the current campaign, keeping him at the club through the end of the 2028/29 season.

Chico joined last summer on loan with an option to buy from Sport Recife. After 24 appearances in Red and one particularly memorable goal, he quickly won the hearts of the fans. A leader both on the pitch and in the dressing room, we are delighted that he has committed his future to the club.

After signing, Chico said: “This is a very special day for me. Extending my contract at this special club is an honour words cannot describe. From the very first moment - after all the efforts that were made to bring me here - I felt respect and love from the fans and everyone who is part of this great club.

For me, wearing the red shirt is not just an important career step - it’s a commitment to the history, to the supporters and to everything this club represents. I want to tell the fans that I will always give everything for the badge, on and off the pitch. At such a complex time for the country, the club shows that its greatness is measured far beyond the boundaries of the field.

My heart is with every family and every person going through difficult days in this complex reality. Israel is a strong and brave nation, above all a people of faith. I pray and believe that days of peace and joy will return.

I hope we will experience great moments and achievements together. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the trust in me. We are ready to continue this beautiful story together. I love you”.

Good luck, Chico!

Club Statement: Operation "Roar of the Lion"

The Hapoel Family, Please stay safe, look after your families, and strictly follow the Home Front Command’s instructions.
We send our prayers for the success of our security forces - may they all return home safely.

The League Administration has announced that our match against Maccabi Haifa has been postponed until further notice. We will provide formal updates as they become available.

Our foreign players, staff members, and their families, accompanied by club officials, have crossed through the Yitzhak Rabin Border Crossing and arrived at a hotel in Jordan, where they will remain for the time being.

Over the past six months, these players and their families have truly become part of our hearts - embraced by their teammates in the locker room, the club staff, and our fans alike.

We promise to continue doing our utmost to support our players, employees, and the families of our foreign staff during these challenging times, holding them close in our hearts, whether near or far.

The Ghanaian striker will bolster the attack: "I was impressed by the intensity, I can't wait to get on the pitch"

Emmanuel Boateng has signed with the club for a season and a half and will join the squad. The striker will hold his debut training session with the team on Tuesday, having landed in Israel yesterday (Saturday), attended the match against Netanya, and successfully passed his medical tests. Boateng will wear the number 9 shirt.

29-year-old Boateng played during the past year (since January 2025) for Gaziantep in the Turkish Süper Lig, where he recorded 32 appearances across all competitions and scored six goals. Prior to that, he played for Al-Orobah in Saudi Arabia (13 matches, 2 goals), Rio Ave in Portugal (two stints, 88 appearances and 15 goals in total), Dalian Professional in China (43 appearances, 16 goals), Levante in Spain (48 appearances and 8 goals, including an unforgettable hat-trick against Barcelona), and Moreirense in Portugal (67 appearances, 13 goals).

Boateng said after the signing: "I’m thrilled to join Hapoel Tel Aviv. Just being at Bloomfield yesterday, I could already feel the incredible energy of the fans and the club. I can't wait to get out on the pitch and help my teammates build on the great season they’ve had so far. See you soon!"

Good luck, Emmanuel!

Ghanaian striker Emmanuel Boateng has reached an agreement with Hapoel. He will land in Israel within the next 24 hours and sign a season-and-a-half contract, subject to passing medical examinations.

Boateng (29), who previously played for Spain's Levante and Portugal's Rio Ave, joins us from Gaziantep in the Turkish league.

Shabbat Shalom Hapoel, Bloomfield is full tomorrow!

The experienced goalkeeper strengthens the goalkeeping unit: “Excited to join, I’ll contribute my experience whenever needed”

Gad Amos has signed with the club for half a season and will join the squad. Amos will wear the number 33 shirt, hold his first training session this morning (Thursday), and will be available to the professional staff for the upcoming match.

The 37-year-old Amos played for Maccabi Bnei Reineh over the past two and a half seasons and was named Goalkeeper of the Season in the Premier League for the 2023/24 campaign. Over the course of his career, he has also played for Bnei Sakhnin, Kiryat Shmona and Hapoel Haifa, making 133 appearances in the top division.

Amos said after signing: “I’m happy and excited to join Hapoel. I’ve already heard about the special locker room here and seen the tremendous power of our fans. I’m coming to contribute from my experience, on and off the pitch, and to give everything whenever the team needs me - hopefully experiencing many more exciting moments together. Yalla Hapoel”.

Good luck, Gad!

Will continue to give everything for Hapoel: Stav Toriel has agreed on a new contract with the club until the end of the 2028/29 season

Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv Football Club is happy to announce that Stav Toriel has agreed to the terms of a new contract with the club through 2029.

The 25-year-old Toriel is a product of Hapoel’s youth system. After several stops in his career, he returned to his boyhood club in January 2024. Last season, he led the team back to the Premier League with 18 goals and 14 assists, and this season he tops our scoring charts with 14 goals and 4 assists in all competitions.

Stav said: “Hapoel Tel Aviv is my home. I’m happy to be part of the process of returning to our natural place and I promise to keep giving everything I have in every minute on the pitch. The love and support I receive move me every single day - and only motivate me more. I thank our amazing fans, the club’s management, my family, and my agents who made this happen. We still have goals to achieve this season - and we’ll do it together”.

Club CEO Guy Primor added: “Stav proves every day that he deserves to lead Hapoel Tel Aviv, both on and off the pitch - and we’re very happy he’s with us. I wish Stav great success in tonight’s match and, of course, in the coming years in the red shirt”.

Good luck, Stav!

The full-back with a rich background in the French league strengthens the squad: “Happy to be here, looking forward to helping the team achieve its goals”

Marcus Coco has signed with the club for a season and a half after landing in Israel and successfully completing his medical examinations. The player will hold his first training session with the team this evening (Thursday) and will be officially registered in the squad when the transfer window opens.

The 29-year-old Coco, who plays both full-back positions, joins us from Romanian side Cluj, where he made nine league appearances in the first half of the season. Before that, he wore the Nantes shirt for five seasons, making 131 appearances in the French top division.

Prior to joining Nantes, who signed him in 2019 for €3 million, Coco played for Guingamp. Over the course of his career, the defender has made 260 appearances in the French top flight – 20 of them in the 2024/25 season. He also made 17 appearances in his youth for the France U21 national team.

Coco said after signing: “I’m happy to be here and wish us all the best. I’m looking forward to meeting the players and our fans, and I’m eager to help the team achieve its goals. Yalla Hapoel”.

Good luck, Marcus!