Beitar Jerusalem Reaches Loan Deal for Maccabi Tel Aviv's Uri Azu

Beitar Jerusalem has reached an agreement with Maccabi Tel Aviv to loan midfielder Uri Azu, with an obligation to buy for 1.5 million shekels, as previously reported by Ynet. Following the agreement, Azu requested to join Beitar's training immediately, but it was decided he would continue training with Maccabi Tel Aviv and join his new team at the latest during the upcoming week.

Azu, 21, was offered to Beitar multiple times over the summer without success. However, a realization of the limited Israeli player market, coupled with concessions from Maccabi Tel Aviv, led Beitar to pursue the young midfielder. The purchase clause will be activated if Azu participates in 70% of Beitar's matches and meets certain goal and assist targets.

In related news, Beitar Jerusalem stated that Ziv Ben-Shimol is not available for loan, as the club wishes to maintain a deep squad. Beitar is still awaiting a response from Colombian club Independiente Medellín regarding the transfer of Albesis Serena. Serena has agreed to personal terms and a transfer fee of 450,000 euros has been settled, but two outstanding clauses between the clubs are preventing the deal from being finalized. Contrary to rumors, Serena has not yet traveled to Israel.