Portuguese Goalkeeper Samo Silva Arrives in Israel for Maccabi Netanya Trial

Maccabi Netanya is set to host Portuguese goalkeeper Samo Silva, 27, who will arrive in Israel within 24 hours for a trial with the club. The team, coached by Roni Levi, aims to sign Silva as their new goalkeeper, offering him a salary of approximately 200,000 euros per season. If Silva signs, current goalkeeper Omer Nir'on is expected to be loaned to another club.

Netanya opted to pursue a foreign goalkeeper after negotiations for Nadav Zamir from Hapoel Jerusalem fell through. Initially hesitant about moving to Israel, Silva changed his mind after consulting with several Portuguese players already competing in the Israeli Premier League. The trial period is limited to 48 hours, after which Silva will decide whether to join the team.

Silva, who stands 1.93 meters tall, played last season for Maritimo, helping them secure promotion from Portugal's second division to the top league. He has also played for Chaves and Mafra. Should he sign with Netanya, it will mark his first club outside Portugal. This potential signing would be Netanya's fourth acquisition this summer, following Dor Hugy, Grigory Morozov, and Alon Azugi.