Beitar Jerusalem in advanced talks to sign Eugene Ansah from Ashdod

Beitar Jerusalem is working on its squad for next season and is trying to bring in Eugene Ansah from M.S. Ashdod. The Israeli runner-up has already signed three players since the start of the summer and is now in advanced negotiations with the port-city club, which has been relegated to the National League, in hopes of adding another attacking option.

Beitar first showed interest in Ansah last summer, and the pursuit continued in the January transfer window. Ashdod owner Jackie Ben Zaken refused to let him leave and wanted the winger to stay even in the second division, but the Ghanaian does not want that and is very eager to move to Jerusalem.

A major factor in the deal is Ansah’s effort to obtain Israeli citizenship. He has been going through the citizenship process for the past six months, and the possibility that he may soon become an Israeli player has helped push the talks forward.

At this stage, the two clubs are trying to reach final terms, and there appears to be a strong chance the transfer will be completed, aided by the good relations between Ben Zaken and Beitar chairman Barak Abramov. Ansah first arrived in Israel in the summer of 2017, when he signed with Beitar Tel Aviv Ramla in the National League, later playing for Hapoel Ra'anana, Ironi Kiryat Shmona, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, and Dallas in MLS before returning to Israel last summer. Last season, he scored nine league goals for Ashdod.