Maccabi Tel Aviv Sells Starlet Abu Fani to Colorado Rapids for $6.5 Million

Maccabi Tel Aviv has officially agreed to sell rising star Gadi Abu Fani to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer (MLS) for approximately $6.5 million. The 20-year-old forward has signed a four-season contract with an option for an additional year.

Abu Fani, who joined Maccabi Tel Aviv's youth academy in 2016, scored 35 goals in 73 appearances for the club's youth teams before making his senior debut at 17. He also had loan spells at MS Kafr Qasim and Maccabi Bnei Raina, gaining valuable experience. This season, he started strong with 5 goals in 8 appearances, including a brace in the Super Cup final against Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

In total, Abu Fani departs Maccabi Tel Aviv with 16 goals in 54 appearances across all competitions. During his time with the club, he won three titles: the State Cup in the 2025-26 season and two Super Cups. He is the seventh player from the Israeli Premier League to join MLS.

The Colorado Rapids expressed excitement about the acquisition. Club President Padraig Smith described Abu Fani as an "exceptional player with a winner's mentality," highlighting his goal-scoring ability and work rate. Head Coach Matt Vella added that Abu Fani's profile aligns with the team's needs for an aggressive and ambitious forward.

Maccabi Tel Aviv bid a warm farewell to the player, thanking him for his dedication and professionalism and wishing him success in his new chapter in the United States.