Maccabi Netanya Takes 16-Year-Old Talent to Training Camp as Team Seeks Foreign Players

Maccabi Netanya departed on Friday morning for their training camp in Poland amid ongoing efforts to recruit quality foreign players. The club currently lacks a central defender and has only one senior winger, Oz Bilu. Coach Roni Levy, aiming for a top playoff finish next season, is determined to secure impactful foreign signings rather than settling for less.

Despite plans to loan out young player Tohar Te'ena and sidelining Sahar Taji due to fitness and tactical reasons, Levy included 16-year-old Yarin Abu Hazira, son of former player Shimon Abu Hazira, in the squad. Levy, known for developing young talents like Lior Refaelov and Eden Ben Basat, praised Yarin as an extraordinary talent. After initially considering leaving Netanya's youth system, Yarin decided to stay following a meeting between Levy and his father, which led to his immediate promotion to train with the senior team and potential playing time this season.

Meanwhile, Dylan Batubinska has requested more time to decide on joining the club, with Netanya hopeful for his agreement. The club also confirmed the candidacy of Hassan Hilu, as previously reported. Additionally, midfielder Willian Siprian was fined after an incident during a friendly match against Ironi Tiberias, where he took a penalty kick despite the coaching staff signaling for Oz Bilu to take it. Although Siprian apologized, the club imposed a penalty to maintain discipline.