Maccabi Haifa Signs Portuguese Winger Pedro Brazão from Turkey

Israeli football club Maccabi Haifa announced on Friday the signing of Portuguese right winger Pedro Brazão from Turkish second-division club Bodrumspor. Brazão is expected to replace Manuel Benson, whose season has concluded and will be placed on a frozen contract. The club anticipates Brazão will contribute goals and assists, along with dribbling skills, the ability to break down tight defenses, lead counter-attacks, and apply high pressure in the opponent's half.

Maccabi Haifa acknowledges that Brazão will need to improve his finishing, aggression, and game intensity. However, they believe he has potential, unlike their previous signing, Sander Sabrina. The transfer negotiations spanned several weeks, with Bodrumspor initially demanding around two million euros. As European transfer windows closed, the price decreased, and the deal was finalized for approximately 700,000 euros, with the Turkish club eligible for bonuses based on the player's individual and team achievements.

Brazão also significantly reduced his salary demands, agreeing to a three-year contract with an option for an additional season. He will earn around 400,000 euros annually, plus performance-based bonuses, with a 10% salary increase each year. During the talks, he consulted with former Maccabi Haifa player Dylan Batubinsika and Maccabi Netanya midfielder Willian Souza regarding the situation in Israel and the league's standard.

Upon arriving in Israel, Brazão was welcomed by team captain Tjaronn Chery, who will assist him in his social integration. Brazão is scheduled to visit the Sammy Ofer Stadium for the first time on Saturday evening and will be presented before the match against Hapoel Petah Tikva. A club representative stated, "We must succeed with him. On the surface, he is a player on an upward trajectory who wants to return to the top of European football. If he delivers what is expected, it will be a significant upgrade."