Orel Dagani Set to Return for Another Season with Hapoel Petah Tikva

After initially announcing they would not renew his contract, Hapoel Petah Tikva has reversed course and is close to finalizing a deal for Orel Dagani to stay for another season. The 37-year-old defender, who played over 25 games last season, had been waiting to find a new Israeli Premier League club after helping both Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel Petah Tikva reach the upper playoff bracket in recent years.

Dagani has praised coach Omer Peretz as a "football brain" and one of the best coaches he has worked with during his long career. The departure of veteran Israeli defender Itay Rotman to Hapoel Be'er Sheva left Peretz without an experienced Israeli center-back. Although promising player Ido Tassa is expected to get playing time, Peretz values having another seasoned defender like Dagani on the squad.

So far, Hapoel Petah Tikva has signed Roy Sasson, Avishai Cohen, Yazan Nasser, Karim Kimbidi, Harel Shalom, Guy Badash, and retained Alex Musonda. The team will depart for a training camp in Bulgaria on Sunday, where they will play three matches against two local teams and Bnei Yehuda. Dagani is expected to join the squad for this camp.