Israeli Soccer League Attracts Notable International Talent Over Years

Maccabi Tel Aviv has signed James Tavernier, the 34-year-old captain from Rangers, adding him to a list of high-profile international players who have played in Israel's top soccer league, often in the later stages of their careers. Tavernier, a right-back, scored 153 goals and provided 161 assists during his time at Rangers and is known for his free-kick ability.

The article highlights several other notable foreign players who have graced the Israeli league. These include Uruguayan striker Sebastián Abreu, who joined Beitar Jerusalem in 2008 after a career that saw him score 26 goals for his national team, though he left without playing a league game. Bosnian forward Savo Milošević, who scored 9 goals in 32 appearances for Barcelona, played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 2000-2001 season.

Cameroonian midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba, formerly of Manchester United and Aston Villa, played for Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2012-2013. French midfielder Jérôme Rothen, who had over 150 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain, played for Beitar Jerusalem in 2006. Chilean talent Sebastián Rozental, who was named Chilean Footballer of the Year in 1996 and played for Rangers, had stints with Maccabi Petah Tikva and Maccabi Netanya in 2007-2008.

Other international stars include Spanish winger Isaac Cuenca, who was part of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona team and played for Hapoel Be'er Sheva in 2017-2018. Spanish midfielder José Rodríguez, a Real Madrid youth academy product, played for Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa, and Hapoel Tel Aviv between 2017 and 2024. Soviet goalkeeper Viktor Chanov, a Dynamo Kyiv legend and a Soviet international, played for Maccabi Haifa from 1990 to 1993. Russian star Andrey Tikhonov, a symbol of Spartak Moscow, played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2000-2001.

Welsh striker Robert Earnshaw, known for scoring hat-tricks across multiple English leagues and for his national team, played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2012. Yugoslavian midfielder Zlatko Čajkovski, a former Partizan Belgrade and Cologne player with 55 caps for Yugoslavia and two Olympic silver medals, played for Hapoel Haifa from 1958 to 1960.