Maccabi Haifa Agrees 700,000 Shekel Fee for Yair Mordechai Transfer from Kiryat Shmona

Maccabi Haifa secured the transfer of midfielder Yair Mordechai from Ironi Kiryat Shmona for a compensation fee of 700,000 shekels. Mordechai, who had a breakthrough season last year scoring ten goals and providing six assists, completed his contract with Kiryat Shmona, but under FIFA regulations, the club is entitled to a development fee. Unlike a previous case involving Ziv Ben Shimol, which required a players' status committee ruling, the two clubs reached an amicable agreement this time.

As part of the positive relations between the clubs, Maccabi Haifa loaned player Niv Gabay to Kiryat Shmona, despite interest from other teams. Additionally, Kiryat Shmona has expressed interest in acquiring two young midfielders from Maccabi Haifa, Itay Ehud and Amit Arzi, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. It is likely that at least one of these players will be loaned to the northern club in the near future.