Israeli Midfielder Guni Naor Rejects Record Lithuanian League Contract for Hapoel Ramat Gan

Israeli midfielder Guni Naor has signed with Hapoel Ramat Gan, his fourth club in Israel. Naor, who was released from Maccabi Haifa a year before his contract expired, previously played for Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv, and was on loan in Greece last season. He will reunite with coach Massai Dego, with whom he previously worked at Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Naor's agent, Adam Keinan, revealed that the player received a lucrative offer from Zalgiris, which would have made him the highest-paid player in the history of the Lithuanian league, with a salary of at least 250,000 euros per season. Despite this substantial offer, Naor chose to forgo it for Hapoel Ramat Gan, citing the club's seriousness and long-term vision for him as a project. The contract with Hapoel Ramat Gan includes a two-year deal, guaranteed even if the team is relegated, with an option for a third year based on playing time.

Keinan also addressed Naor's potential eligibility for the Lithuanian national team, explaining that while he had been called up, FIFA had put the process on hold. Naor ultimately decided that Lithuania was not the right path for him at this time. The agent noted that Naor is not afraid of challenges and values stability, which Hapoel Ramat Gan offered. Regarding his departure from Maccabi Haifa, Keinan stated that Naor was naturally disappointed by his lack of playing time but is intelligent enough to understand the club's direction, observing that other players have left under more acrimonious circumstances.