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. 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, aggressiveness, and game intensity. However, they believe he has potential, unlike former player Sander Sabrina. The transfer negotiations spanned several weeks, with Bodrumspor initially demanding around two million euros. As European transfer windows closed, the price decreased to approximately 700,000 euros, with add-ons for the player's achievements. Brazão also significantly reduced his salary demands.

He has signed a three-year contract with an option for an additional year, earning an initial salary of around 400,000 euros, plus performance-based bonuses. His salary is set to increase by 10% annually. During the talks, Brazão consulted with former Maccabi Haifa player Dylan Batubinsika and Maccabi Netanya midfielder Willian Souza regarding life in Israel and the league's standard.

Upon arriving in Israel, Brazão was welcomed by team captain Kenny Saief, who will assist him in settling in socially. 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 face of it, he is a player on an upward trajectory who wants to return to the top of European football. If he delivers what is expected of him, it will be a significant upgrade."