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

Ivory Coast defender Yao, 30, has successfully completed comprehensive medical examinations with Maccabi Petah Tikva, advancing his potential transfer to 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 signing by the end of the week. Coach Ziv Arie holds Yao in high regard, and it is expected the deal will be finalized.

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 was relegated from Serie C to Serie D in Italy. In the 2024/25 season, his last in Israel, Yao played 23 games, providing one assist. Over his career in Israel, he accumulated five assists and one goal in 114 appearances. His previous clubs include Lugano, smaller teams in Italy, and Inter Primavera.