Hapoel Tel Aviv Signs Speedy Left-Back Yanick Leliendal

Hapoel Tel Aviv has signed 24-year-old left-back Yanick Leliendal, who joins from Dutch club Volendam. Leliendal, born in Amsterdam, brings a diverse background, having grown up in Suriname before moving to Belgium at age 12 to join Genk's academy. His career has seen him play for various clubs, including Utrecht and Venlo, and he was a regular starter for Volendam last season as they were relegated from the Eredivisie.

Leliendal's career has been marked by challenges and personality clashes with coaches. At Genk, he reportedly clashed with assistant coaches, leading him to leave the academy. Later, at Utrecht, his time was cut short due to reported issues with coach Ron Jans, though Leliendal denied some of the accusations. Despite these incidents, he has shown flashes of brilliance, including a standout performance against Ajax.

His move to Hapoel Tel Aviv is seen as an opportunity to revitalize his career. The club, managed by Eliniyv Barda, who previously played for Genk, believes Leliendal's defensive capabilities and intensity can strengthen their backline. Last season, Leliendal recorded high numbers in tackles and duels, indicating his strong defensive contributions.

A key attribute that attracted Hapoel Tel Aviv is Leliendal's exceptional speed. He reached a top speed of 35.5 km/h last season, ranking him among the fastest players in the Israeli Premier League. This speed allows for tactical flexibility, enabling him to overlap offensively and potentially support the midfield, especially given the team's plan to utilize eight foreign players next season.

While acknowledging past disciplinary issues reported in Dutch media, Hapoel Tel Aviv believes they can integrate Leliendal effectively, citing their history with similar players. His versatility, including the ability to play as a defensive midfielder, could provide valuable depth. The club anticipates his speed and defensive prowess will be significant assets, potentially leading to more scoring opportunities.