Inside Dor Peretz’s New Maccabi Tel Aviv Deal, from Deadlock to Renewal

Dor Peretz’s three-year contract extension with Maccabi Tel Aviv, first reported by ynet on Thursday, was only finalized in the past week after a tense round of negotiations. The club captain remains the highest-paid Israeli player in the Premier League, after Maccabi eventually secured his signature at Kiryat Shalom.

Maccabi said it had made Peretz an offer weeks earlier, but the two sides only reached understanding in recent days after a complete breakdown in talks. The opening proposal reportedly cut his previous salary sharply, from 550,000 euros plus 50,000 euros in bonuses to just 400,000 dollars. Peretz did not even respond, and the impasse lasted until talks resumed this week.

The breakthrough came with direct involvement from owner Mitch Goldhar, who was concerned by fan criticism that Peretz had still not signed and that the club had not even met him. In a meeting at Peretz’s agent’s home, CEO Jack Angelidis and sporting director Steven Vennharen discussed improved terms, eventually offering 525,000 euros per season plus 1 million euros for the next two years, an option for two more years, and 150,000 euros in various bonuses. Over three years, Peretz’s base salary will total about 1.5 million euros.

Peretz also wanted to know the club’s sporting plan for next season. He spoke personally with Vennharen and new coach Kani Miller, whose appointment was also reported by ynet, and only agreed once he understood Maccabi intended to strengthen significantly and challenge for the title. During the stalemate, he had offers from Beitar Jerusalem and Dinamo Zagreb, where he had already agreed financial terms before traveling, but had said he would decide only after meeting Croatian president Zvonimir Boban. He later apologized to the Croatians, saying his wife did not want to move abroad, although his representatives denied that account. Peretz missed Maccabi’s kit launch because final contract details were still being worked out, but by early afternoon everything was signed and he arrived at the dressing room, where he was warmly received.