Fresh off promotion to Israel’s Liga Leumit, Ironi Kiryat Gat has submitted an offer for Beitar Jerusalem winger Ilay Hagag, according to a first report aired Thursday by Sport 5. Hagag, who is from Kiryat Gat, is drawing strong interest from the club after leaving the top flight this season with M.S. Ashdod.
Kiryat Gat, which moved up from Liga Alef South last season, announced on Wednesday that it had signed foreign-based midfielder Guy Dehan from Romania’s top division. Even so, that may not end up being the club’s biggest signing of the summer. Coach Roman Zulu previously worked with Hagag at Hapoel Afula, when the player was on loan from Maccabi Haifa, and is eager to reunite with him as he tries to build a squad capable of challenging near the top of the league.
The 24-year-old winger scored one goal this season, started three matches, and appeared in 13 games in all competitions. Last season at Maccabi Haifa, he started four matches in all competitions. Haifa later transferred him to Beitar Jerusalem in a deal worth an additional one million euros as part of the trade that sent Silva Kani to Haifa.
Hagag has played two seasons in Liga Leumit and scored 13 goals in all competitions.