Maccabi Haifa Signs Pedro Brazão, a Portuguese Winger with Top-League Pedigree

Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Haifa has signed Portuguese attacking midfielder Pedro Brazão on a three-year deal for a reported fee of €750,000. Brazão, 23, joins the Israeli champions after a career that has seen him play in France, Switzerland, Portugal, and Turkey.

Brazão made history at age 16 when he became the youngest Portuguese player to appear in one of Europe's top five leagues for Nice in April 2019. Despite early praise from then-Nice manager Patrick Vieira, who noted Brazão's talent but urged him to recognize it, his senior career at the French club did not take off, with only one league appearance. Brazão later expressed feeling "blocked" by the club.

His career path included loan spells at Lausanne in Switzerland and a move to Famalicão in Portugal, where he struggled to establish himself. Seeking more playing time, he joined Turkish second-division club Bodrum in 2023. His first season saw the team promoted to the top flight, and in the 2025/26 season, he scored eight goals in 36 league appearances, including a spectacular solo effort that drew comparisons to Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

Brazão's performances in Turkey attracted interest from clubs like Strasbourg, Besiktas, and Hamburg. Strasbourg reportedly made significant efforts to sign him, but Brazão opted against the move, fearing a rotational role. He also represented Portugal at various youth levels, accumulating 36 appearances and eight goals for the national youth teams.

Maccabi Haifa hopes Brazão will fulfill his significant potential with the club.