Maccabi Tel Aviv Registers New Player Amidst Transfer Uncertainty

Maccabi Tel Aviv has registered new player James Tavernier for their 4-1 victory over Hapoel Be'er Sheva, despite the impending transfer of Venezuelan player Ronaldo Van de La Cruz. This move raised questions about the team's foreign player registration limits.

The explanation lies in Van de La Cruz's contract termination agreement with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Upon signing the termination, he was officially removed from the team's roster with the Football Association, clearing a foreign player slot. This process does not require the full transfer procedure to be completed.

However, this situation technically allowed Van de La Cruz to leave for free for two days as his contract was considered void. It is understood that a gentleman's agreement is in place, preventing him from joining another club. The specifics of this agreement between the club and the player remain private.

As long as the Football Association approved the registration, it implies that all necessary documents were presented to legally remove Van de La Cruz from the roster, indicating an approved and regulated procedure. Van de La Cruz was initially heading to Volos, but negotiations failed. He is now reportedly on his way back to Brazil, set to be loaned from Maccabi Tel Aviv to second-division club Sport Recife.