Dan Glazer’s 2026 profile: a more complete midfielder, and a possible return to Israel

Dan Glazer, formerly of Maccabi Tel Aviv, has spent the past three seasons abroad and could be headed back to Israel when his contract in Kazakhstan expires in December. According to the report, Beitar Jerusalem is among the clubs watching him, helped by existing ties: he previously served with Beitar coach in the Israel national team, played with Ghadani at Kairat, and with Omer Atzili at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Glazer’s foreign career has changed his image. Once known mainly as a defensive midfielder and a former Israeli Premier League Player of the Year, he has developed into a more versatile player at Kairat, a top club that plays attacking football and regularly fights for the title. Unlike his stints in Crete or Nizhny, he became a regular starter quickly, and the Israeli connection with Ofri Arad helped him settle despite the language barrier.

Kairat began its Champions League campaign in the first qualifying round, one stage earlier than the Israeli champion, and eliminated Olimpija, KuPS, Slovan Bratislava and Celtic. Glazer started in the last three of those ties and became a fan favorite, even while playing through a serious challenge in a domestic league match and an injury during the qualifiers. He told Moti Feschatzki on "5 in the Air, Newsroom" that "they give us a lot of respect," adding, "it surprises us for the better."

In the second half of last season, he played less in the league as Kairat focused on Europe, but he started five Champions League matches, including against Kairat Haverz and Mehdi Taremi, and impressed in the draw with Pafos by delivering two key passes. After recovering from injury, he returned to the Kazakhstani lineup in early May as the club pushed toward another league title. The article says he now plays a slightly more advanced role, still brings high defensive intensity, and has become a more complete midfielder, one Beitar sees as a fit for a stronger, pressing central axis.