Maccabi Haifa Signs Portuguese Winger Pedro Brazão on Three-Year Deal

Israeli football club Maccabi Haifa has officially announced the signing of 23-year-old Portuguese winger Pedro Brazão. Brazão has agreed to a three-season contract with an option for an additional year, bolstering the squad managed by Barak Bakhar. His arrival is intended to fill the void left by Manuel Benson, who is currently sidelined due to injury.

Brazão, who successfully completed his medical examinations upon arriving in Israel, expressed his excitement about joining the "huge club" and views it as a significant step and challenge in his career. He hopes to contribute to the team's goals and please the fans.

Maccabi Haifa's professional manager, Lior Raphaelson, welcomed Brazão, noting his talent and creativity in the forward positions. Raphaelson highlighted that despite other offers, Brazão chose Maccabi Haifa, and wished him a quick integration and success.

The transfer fee for Brazão was reportedly settled at €700,000, a significant reduction from his previous club, Turkish side Bodrum, which had initially sought around €2 million. The decrease in price is attributed to the closing of most European transfer windows, leading Bodrum to become more flexible. Brazão's personal terms include an annual salary of approximately €400,000, with his contract escalating annually and including performance-based bonuses.

Brazão's career includes stints with Nice in France, Lausanne in Switzerland (on loan), and Famalicão in Portugal. He then moved to Bodrum, where he scored 14 goals and provided 4 assists in 101 appearances. He has represented Portugal at various youth levels, including seven appearances and one goal for the U-20 team.