Israeli Agent Adam Kidan on Missed Transfer, Global Market

Israeli football agent Adam Kidan revealed that Hapoel Be'er Sheva missed the chance to sign striker Krzysztof Piątek in 2016 when he was a young player at Zagłębie Lubin. Piątek, now 31, has since played for top European clubs like Genoa, Milan, and Fiorentina. Kidan also recounted a surreal experience with Marco Caligiuri, a foreign player he brought to Hapoel Be'er Sheva, who backed out of signing at the last minute in Alona Barkat's office just as rockets were being fired from Gaza during Operation Protective Edge.

Kidan, who transitioned from sports journalism to player representation, emphasized the crucial role agents play in connecting clubs and players, facilitating international transfers, and bringing foreign talent to Israel. He described the agent's work as akin to a farmer, cultivating relationships and preparing for future opportunities even outside the transfer window. Kidan believes Israeli agents are the best in the world, adept at navigating new markets and challenges, especially post-October 7th.

He highlighted the challenges of managing player expectations and dealing with impatient club owners. Kidan also expressed concern that the current number of foreign players in the Israeli league is harming the development of local talent, and that the youth player law is being exploited by clubs seeking bonuses rather than genuine talent. He noted that while extreme situations like unpaid wages and players training in isolation are less common due to player unions and media scrutiny, improvements are still needed.

Kidan cited the transfer of Omer Dammari to Red Bull Salzburg, where the sporting director was Christoph Freund, now at Bayern Munich, and the record-breaking move of Eran Zahavi to China as significant career achievements. He also praised Avi Yechiel of Hapoel Ramat Gan and Maccabi Haifa's management for their professionalism in negotiations.