Maccabi Tel Aviv Extends Guard Ifa Lundberg's Contract for Three More Years

Maccabi Tel Aviv officially announced on Monday the extension of Danish guard Ifa Lundberg's contract for an additional three years. The agreement, reached last week, will pay Lundberg approximately $5.5 million over the contract period. Lundberg, 31, who joined Maccabi last summer, quickly became a key player and leader under coach Oded Katash. He played a central role in the team's double championship win, earning the MVP title in the playoff finals series. In the EuroLeague, he averaged 11 points and 3.6 assists per game, with standout performances in the finals against Hapoel Tel Aviv, averaging 17.5 points and 4 assists.

Negotiations initially stalled due to a significant salary gap, with Maccabi unwilling to exceed $1 million per season, while Lundberg's demands rose to nearly $3 million after the finals. The talks resumed seriously only after the conflict with Iran subsided. Lundberg eventually chose to remain with Maccabi after receiving fewer high offers than expected. He expressed enthusiasm about continuing his journey with the club, highlighting the opportunity to fulfill his potential and compete for the EuroLeague title.

Club chairman Shimon Mizrahi emphasized that Lundberg's signing reinforces the club's principle of continuity. Coach Oded Katash praised Lundberg as an experienced leader who fits well with the team and staff, calling the extension an important part of maintaining the squad's core.

Lundberg began his professional career in Denmark, winning a national championship in 2015-16. He later played in Spain, Poland, Russia, and Italy, and briefly appeared in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns in 2022. Prior to joining Maccabi, he had notable success in European leagues, including winning the Adriatic League with Partizan Belgrade in the 2024-25 season.