Hapoel Haifa signs midfielder Tal Na’im

Hapoel Haifa announced on Wednesday that it has signed Tal Na’im to a one-season deal with an option for another year. The 22-year-old midfielder, who came through under former Israel coach Shlomo Scharf and signed through his agent Idan Ben Abu, joins the club from Maccabi Herzliya.

Na’im was one of the standout players in Israel’s second division last season. He scored five goals and added two assists in 29 appearances for Herzliya. The club described him as a defensive midfielder who can play in any central midfield role.

In its announcement, Hapoel Haifa said the signing fits a long-term plan to bring in young, talented players for the squad. After completing the move, Na’im said he was “happy and excited” to join a club with “tradition” and a loyal fan base, and added: “Thank you for the trust in me, and now it is my turn to give back on the pitch and make the fans happy.”