Gili Yitzhak Signs Historic Deal with Fourth-Tier Bnei Eilat for Record Salary

Bnei Eilat, a club competing in Israel's fourth-tier Liga Bet, has made a groundbreaking signing by acquiring striker Gili Yitzhak for a historic salary of 450,000 shekels per season, the highest ever paid in the lower leagues. The deal, managed by attorney Amir Cohen, includes additional benefits such as housing, a car, and a promotion bonus. This move is part of an ambitious project led by the club's owners, the Vaturi family, and sporting director Kobi Refua, who have previously signed notable players like Gidi Keniuk, Ofek Fischler, and Ben Yehizkel.

Yitzhak, 33, is one of the top scorers in the history of the Liga Leumit (second division). Despite receiving offers from Liga Leumit clubs, he chose to join Bnei Eilat, marking an unprecedented step down to Liga Bet. He began his career at Bnei Yehuda, debuting in the Premier League in 2011, and has since played for multiple teams including Maccabi Sha'arayim, Hapoel Rishon LeZion (where he was top scorer in the 2018/19 season), Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Kfar Saba, Maccabi Netanya, Hapoel Umm al-Fahm, and Maccabi Jaffa. In the 2023/24 season, he returned to Bnei Yehuda before moving back to Jaffa, where he finished as Liga Leumit’s top scorer with 16 goals.

A close source to Yitzhak told Sport 5 that the player holds great respect for Kobi Refua and attorney Amir Cohen and was impressed by the new owners' vision. However, the decision to drop to Liga Bet was complex given his continued value in higher leagues and the personal challenges of relocating to Eilat. The final decision was expected shortly after the announcement.

This signing highlights Bnei Eilat's bold ambitions to rise through the Israeli football leagues by attracting high-profile talent with unprecedented financial backing.