Israeli Defender Atif Alqaisi Joins Portuguese Club Rio Ave Alongside Noa Slimagovich

Atif Alqaisi, a leading defender of the Israeli women's national football team, has signed with Portuguese club Rio Ave. The 24-year-old will join fellow Israeli and former Kiryat Gat player Noa Slimagovich, who also moved to Rio Ave this summer. Alqaisi's football journey began in the youth department of Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem, followed by the Israel Football Association academy. She then played for Kiryat Gat before making a significant impact at Hapoel Be'er Sheva, where she won two league championships and two State Cups over the past two seasons. Concurrently, Alqaisi established herself as a key defender for the Israeli national team, consistently starting throughout the latest campaign. This move marks the first time both players will compete in Europe, aiming to improve Rio Ave's performance after the club narrowly avoided relegation last season by finishing eighth and surviving through playoff matches.