Colombian Star Juan Cuadrado Rejects Generous Israeli League Offer

Colombian international footballer Juan Cuadrado, 38, reportedly rejected a substantial offer from an unnamed Israeli Premier League club. The offer was said to be worth approximately $3 million, though it was unclear if this was for a season or a total contract. Cuadrado, who recently finished his stint with Italian club Pisa and is now a free agent, turned down the proposal outright.

According to reports from Colombia, Cuadrado also declined lucrative offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. His decision to reject these significant financial packages appears to be driven by personal and family considerations, with a preference for continuing his career in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States or in the Mexican league.

Despite the rejection, Cuadrado has a prior connection to Israel, having visited the country twice in 2018 and 2022 for spiritual journeys. He visited Jerusalem, the Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, sharing his positive experiences on social media. However, this spiritual connection and the high financial offer were not enough to persuade him to join the Israeli league.

The news comes as English defender James Tavernier is expected to join Maccabi Tel Aviv, a move anticipated to significantly enhance the team and the Israeli league's appeal. This potential influx of high-profile players could signal a growing trend of international stars considering the Israeli league.