Maccabi Haifa Signs Forward Andrea Novakovich Ahead of 2026/27 Season

Maccabi Haifa announced the signing of 29-year-old forward Andrea Novakovich for the 2026/27 season, marking one of the summer's more surprising moves. Novakovich, who has no current club, has a background in Italy's second division and is the second consecutive season Haifa has signed a forward with experience in Italy, following last year's signing of Tribente Stewart. Born to Serbian parents who emigrated to Milwaukee during the Balkan war, Novakovich initially played basketball before transitioning to football, inspired by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He moved to Europe at 17, joining Reading's academy and later representing the United States national team.

Novakovich's career highlights include a productive spell at Frosinone under Alessandro Nesta, where he scored 11 goals and provided six assists, and a record transfer to Venezia for 1.2 million euros. However, his time at Venezia was challenging, leading to a decline in form and subsequent moves to lower-tier clubs including Lecce, Bari, and Reggina. Despite scoring 15 goals over four seasons in Italy's Serie B, he struggled to secure a consistent starting role and was released by Reggina after their relegation, with reports suggesting he negatively impacted team morale.

Professionally, Novakovich is noted for his versatility, able to play multiple attacking positions and contribute defensively, traits that fit Maccabi Haifa's tactical approach. Standing 1.92 meters tall and capable of sprinting up to 34 km/h, he offers physical presence and aerial ability, valuable for set pieces and counterattacks. While Transfermarkt values him at 350,000 euros, his recent performances have raised questions about his ability to secure a foreign player spot in Haifa's squad.

Haifa currently has proven scorer Guy Melamed and Stewart, who is not planned for next season. Novakovich is expected to complement players like Bruninho, Manuel Benson, and Yair Mordechai, potentially adding depth and movement in attack. Despite his struggles in Italy's second division, Haifa is betting on his work ethic and adaptability to make an impact in the Israeli Premier League. The club and player now face the challenge of proving his value on the field.