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) on player acquisitions and salaries in the final 24 hours of the transfer window. This significant investment demonstrates Kassin's commitment to strengthening the team and supporting head coach Roni Levy.

The club's CEO, Gil Lev, who is set to depart once a successor is found, negotiated the transfers. These included the signing of winger Eylon Almog from Hapoel Be'er Sheva and the loan of Romanian midfielder Gabriel Simion. Hapoel Be'er Sheva agreed to waive loan fees for Almog, finalizing his move.

Almog is expected to bolster Netanya's offense, particularly during the absence of Dolev Haziza, who is sidelined with an injury and will miss the upcoming match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Haziza is anticipated to return after the international break.

Despite the new signings, 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 full salary, and William Cyprian, who did not find a new club.

On the medical front, midfielder Maor Levy completed a full training session, surprising the medical staff and making him available for the next game. The total expenditure includes approximately 300,000 shekels for Simion's loan, with an option to buy for up to 700,000 shekels, and combined salaries for Simion and Almog reaching around 700,000 shekels.