Luka Gadrani, Beitar Jerusalem’s standout center back and the league’s Defensive Player of the Season for 2025/26, gave an interview to a Kazakh news outlet in which he refused to guarantee that he will stay in Jerusalem next season. He said he still has a contract at Beitar, but added that in football “you never can know for sure what will happen tomorrow,” so everything will be decided during the coming summer.
Asked whether there were concrete offers already on the table, including a possible return to Kazakhstan, where he previously played for Taraz, Aktobe and Kairat Almaty, Gadrani said there is interest but he is focused on resting and preparing for the new season. He said he has “a great impression” of Kazakhstan and its league, but did not want to discuss specific proposals, adding, “Never say never.”
Gadrani also praised the Israeli league, saying it is faster and more intense than the Kazakh league, with stronger foreign players and more matches in which one mistake can be costly. In his view, the biggest advantage in Israel is the pace of play and the number of quality attackers, noting that almost every team can trouble any opponent.
The Georgian defender said he is pleased to be recognized as the league’s best defender, but emphasized that the achievement belongs to the whole team and coaching staff. He also said he has no regrets about choosing Beitar over staying with Kairat for the Champions League group stage, because he had a great season, Beitar finished second, and qualified for Europe.
