Hapoel Rishon LeZion Football Club Undergoes New Ownership with Significant Investment
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Businesspeople Dudu and Natali Vaturi are investing 5 million shekels in Hapoel Rishon LeZion Football Club over five years to promote it to the Premier League. While officially termed an "adoption agreement," municipal officials reportedly view it as a change of ownership. The Vaturis aim to strengthen the team and youth programs, with an initial 1 million shekel investment expected in January. The club has seen multiple ownership changes in recent years.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Dudu and Natali Vaturi will invest 5 million shekels in Hapoel Rishon LeZion over five years.
- The investment aims to elevate the club to the Premier League and strengthen its youth programs.
- The deal is presented as an "adoption agreement" but is reportedly seen as a transfer of ownership by the municipality.
- Natali Vaturi is expected to become club president with signing authority.
- An initial 1 million shekel investment is planned for January.
- The club has had several owners, including Eyal Berkovich and Amos Luzon, in recent years.
Hapoel Rishon LeZion Football Club is embarking on a new chapter with a substantial investment from businesspeople Dudu and Natali Vaturi, who currently own Bnei Eilat of Liga Bet. The couple is set to invest 5 million shekels over the next five years, aiming to strengthen the senior team and youth academy and lead the club to the Premier League.
According to Channel Sport, the move was officially presented as an "adoption agreement." However, the same report indicates that senior figures in the Rishon LeZion municipality claim it is effectively a transfer of ownership. Despite this, the club will remain under the ownership of the public Hapoel Rishon LeZion Association and continue to be managed by the current leadership, headed by Chairman Eli Senior and CEO Avi Levy.
As part of the agreement, negotiated between the club's legal counsel, Adv. Shai Tal, and representatives of the Vaturis and their company, the team's name will become "Hapoel D.N. Rishon LeZion." Natali Vaturi is expected to be appointed club president and join the association on Sunday, with signing authority. Ariel Barak will serve as the owners' representative, having previously represented Amir Hamiass at Hapoel Ramat Gan.
The initial investment of 1 million shekels is anticipated in January to bolster the club. The Vaturis also intend to maintain a representative at Bnei Eilat. Dudu and Natali Vaturi expressed their belief in the club's significant potential and its rightful place in the Premier League, stating their commitment to strengthening the team, investing in youth development, and contributing to the community.
Hapoel Rishon LeZion has experienced several ownership and management changes in recent years. Eyal Berkovich owned the club for about five years before management rights were transferred in 2019 to businessman Ravid Ozlebo. Later that year, businessman Amos Luzon took over. In April 2022, Luzon announced his departure, and in 2025, ownership transferred to a public association led by Eli Senior. The Vaturis' entry marks a new phase for the club.
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