Bnei Eilat Offers Gil Itzhak Historic 450,000 NIS Contract in Fourth-Tier League

Bnei Eilat, an ambitious football club led by Kobi Refua, has made a groundbreaking contract offer to Gil Itzhak, one of the top scorers in the history of Israel's Liga Leumit (second tier). The club proposed a net salary of 450,000 NIS for one season, including housing and a car, plus a promotion bonus. This offer could make Itzhak the highest-paid player ever in Liga Bet, the fourth tier of Israeli football.

Gil Itzhak, 33, who grew up at Bnei Yehuda and debuted in the Israeli Premier League in 2011, has played for numerous clubs including Maccabi Sha'arayim, Hapoel Rishon LeZion (where he was top scorer in 2018/19), Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Maccabi Yaffa. He returned to Bnei Yehuda in the 2024/25 season before moving back to Yaffa, where he finished last season as the Liga Leumit top scorer with 16 goals.

Itzhak met with Bnei Eilat’s owners, the Vaturi family, and sporting director Kobi Refua to discuss goals and contract terms, which include an option for more than one year. He is currently considering the offer alongside other proposals from Liga Leumit clubs. A close associate noted that while Itzhak admires the club’s vision and management, moving down to Liga Bet is a significant decision given his continued value in the second tier and the personal challenges of relocating to Eilat.

The club’s ambitious project has already attracted notable players like Gidi Keniuk, Ofek Fishler, and Ben Yehezkel. The final decision from Itzhak is expected soon, as he weighs the historic offer against his career prospects in higher leagues.