Ivory Coast Defender Yao Passes Medical Tests Ahead of Maccabi Petah Tikva Signing

Ivory Coast defender Yao, 30, has successfully passed comprehensive medical examinations at Maccabi Petah Tikva, advancing his potential signing with the Israeli Premier League club. The extensive tests were necessary due to a severe injury that sidelined him for nearly a year. The club plans to make a final decision on the transfer by the end of the week. Coach Ziv Arie holds Yao in high regard, suggesting the deal is likely to be completed.

Yao has been without a club recently, having not played in the last season. Prior to that, he made two appearances for Virtus Verona, which finished 18th in Italy's Serie C and was relegated to the fourth division. In the 2024/25 season, his last in Israel, Yao played 23 games, providing one assist. Over his career in Israel's top league, he accumulated five assists and one goal in 114 appearances. His previous clubs include Lugano, smaller Italian teams, and Inter Primavera.