Bristol City Targets Maccabi Haifa Defender Lisav Issat for Championship Move

Bristol City, a club competing in the English Championship, has expressed interest in signing Lisav Issat, a central defender from Maccabi Haifa. This marks the first report of the club's pursuit of Issat, who has attracted attention recently due to his strong performances. Previously, several Romanian league teams showed interest in the player, but Issat preferred to move to a higher-tier league after a breakthrough season establishing himself as a key defender.

In the 2025-2026 season, Bristol City finished 12th in the Championship and was eliminated in the fourth round of the FA Cup and the second round of the League Cup. Their manager, Michael Skubala, has yet to sign any defenders during the summer 2026 transfer window. Meanwhile, Issat made 33 appearances for Maccabi Haifa across league, cup, and Conference League qualifiers, scoring one goal and providing two assists, solidifying his role as a vital defensive player.

Issat, who officially registered with FIFA under the Romanian Football Federation in 2025, chose to represent Romania internationally about a year ago. He has been called up to both the senior and youth Romanian national teams, including a recent call-up in March 2026. The potential transfer to Bristol City could mark Issat's first move to English football and a step up in his career trajectory.