Kocaelispor Confirms Agreement to Sign Maccabi Haifa Midfielder Manuel Shaw

Turkish club Kocaelispor officially announced on Saturday that they have reached an agreement with Israeli club Maccabi Haifa to acquire midfielder Manuel Shaw. The transfer had faced registration issues due to foreign player limits, but Kocaelispor confirmed Shaw will sign after passing medical tests.

Reports from Israel indicated the transfer fee would be close to one million dollars, while Turkish sources mentioned a payment of 500,000 euros in three installments. Shaw impressed during his loan spell at Kocaelispor last season, making 30 league appearances and playing 2,321 minutes. Although he did not score or assist, he was valued for his physicality, pressing, and midfield balance.

Initially, Shaw hoped for offers from European clubs, but after none materialized, he resumed negotiations with Kocaelispor. This move marks the definitive end of his time at Maccabi Haifa, who originally purchased him from Bulgarian club Ludogorets for 1.2 million euros in summer 2023. Shaw made 31 appearances for Haifa across all competitions before being loaned to FC Dallas in MLS and then to Kocaelispor.

Maccabi Haifa is set to officially start their 2026/27 season with a derby match against Hapoel Haifa next Saturday in the Toto Cup.