Victor Boniface Was Not Ready for Israeli League, Agent Reveals

Football agent Roi Daniel revealed that Nigerian striker Victor Boniface, who later became a star for Bayer Leverkusen, was once offered to a "big Israeli team" but was deemed "not ready" for the Israeli league. Daniel, who previously served as spokesperson for Maccabi Haifa and CEO of Maccabi Netanya, transitioned to sports agency work with a focus on integrity and player welfare.

Daniel explained that his agency, which scouts young African talent, had offered Boniface to an Israeli club when he was still unknown. The club hesitated, and Boniface eventually moved to Union SG for €6 million and then to Bayer Leverkusen for €22 million, where he became a Bundesliga star and helped the team win the double. Daniel also mentioned that the same club was in negotiations for Kasper Junker, then the top scorer for Bodo/Glimt, but found it difficult to sign him, leading to the Boniface offer.

In another anecdote, Daniel shared that a highly-regarded foreign coach was close to signing with a major Israeli team but withdrew his interest due to security concerns. During a video call from a cup final at Bloomfield Stadium, an air raid siren sounded, causing players to flee the field, which solidified the coach's decision to avoid Israel and accept a coaching position in Germany.

Daniel also discussed his professional experiences, highlighting Slavia Prague as a club with excellent management and Israeli teams that often have unrealistic expectations regarding transfer fees. He finds satisfaction in developing unknown players into successful professionals, though he notes the challenges of frequent travel and time away from family.