Hapoel Be'er Sheva Signs João Victor from Hungary's ZTE for €1.7 Million Amid Fan Debate

Hapoel Be'er Sheva, the reigning Israeli champions, recently completed the high-profile signing of 22-year-old Brazilian left winger João Victor from Hungarian club ZTE. The transfer, finalized in the summer 2026 window, reportedly cost Be'er Sheva €1.7 million plus bonuses and a 20% future resale clause, outbidding European competitors including Poland's Górnik Zabrze.

João Victor joined ZTE in summer 2025 from Brazilian club Ceará for around €200,000 on a contract through 2028. Under coach Nuno Campos, he quickly became a key player, making 33 league appearances in the 2025/26 season with seven goals and one assist, totaling 38 appearances, nine goals, and six assists across all competitions. He notably scored a crucial equalizer in the Hungarian Cup semifinal, helping ZTE reach the final.

Despite these solid stats, Hungarian fan forums reveal mixed reactions to his departure. Many fans expressed professional indifference to losing Victor, citing his inconsistent performances and questioning whether he justified star status. However, they were stunned by the transfer fee, viewing it as inflated and celebrating the club's net profit of approximately €1.5 million within a year on a player some considered average.

The sale reignited debate over ZTE's sports management strategy under sporting director András Hornet and president Damián Pedrosa. Some supporters worry about a "fire sale" approach harming team spirit and local identity, especially after losing young talent Bence Várkonyi to Azerbaijan's Qarabağ. Others defend the club's economic model as a successful talent development and sales pipeline, highlighting that ZTE sold more young players in six months than some academies have in 15 years, ensuring financial stability and reinvestment capacity.

Fans also speculated that early transfer rumors on social media were part of a deliberate marketing campaign by ZTE, designed to create artificial buzz and pressure Be'er Sheva into paying a premium. Additionally, due to the ongoing conflict in Israel, Israeli clubs cannot host international matches at home, so Be'er Sheva will play its UEFA Champions League qualifiers in Hungary. This situation amused ZTE fans, who noted that João Victor could soon be seen playing live again in Hungary, potentially facing ZTE's rival Győr in the next qualifying round, just an hour away from his former club.

The transfer highlights both the sporting and geopolitical complexities surrounding player movements and club strategies in European and Israeli football.