Maccabi Netanya Owner Spends $270,000 on Transfers

Maccabi Netanya owner, Russian businessman Roman "Ross" Kassin, has reportedly spent approximately one million shekels (around $270,000) in the final 24 hours of the transfer window to strengthen the team. This investment demonstrates Kassin's commitment to manager Roni Levy and the club.

The club's CEO, Gil Lev, who is set to depart once a replacement is found, negotiated the signings. Ayalon Almog was acquired from Hapoel Be'er Sheva, and Romanian midfielder Gabriel Simion was brought in on loan. Hapoel Be'er Sheva agreed to waive loan fees for Almog just two hours before the window closed.

Almog, a winger in good form, is expected to bolster Netanya's offense, especially with Dolev Haziza sidelined due to injury for the upcoming match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Haziza is not expected back until after the international break.

Despite the new acquisitions, Netanya will continue to pay the salaries of two players not in the team's plans: Itay Ben Shabat, whose transfer to Hapoel Petah Tikva fell through when Netanya refused to cover his salary, and William Cyprian, who did not find a new club. The club acknowledged the owner's willingness to increase the budget.

On the professional front, midfielder Maor Levi completed a full training session, surprising the medical staff and making him available for the next game. The loan fee for Simion is approximately 300,000 shekels, with an option to buy him for up to 700,000 shekels. Simion's and Almog's combined salaries amount to about 700,000 shekels, bringing Kassin's total expenditure on the final day to roughly one million shekels.