Hapoel Tel Aviv Signs Douglas Avuso After Interest From Maccabi Tel Aviv

Hapoel Tel Aviv has finalized the signing of Douglas Avuso from Red Star Belgrade, marking a notable acquisition for the club. Avuso had attracted attention from several top Israeli teams, including city rivals Maccabi Tel Aviv, who monitored him while he played for Serbian club Radnik. Earlier this year, Avuso was offered to Hapoel Be'er Sheva, but they declined due to the high transfer fee. Red Star Belgrade paid 2.2 million euros for Avuso, and this summer he was also proposed to Maccabi Haifa, who rejected the deal over concerns about the young player's high price and a failed medical exam related to a planned transfer to Viktoria Plzen for 3.3 million euros.

The transfer to Hapoel Tel Aviv was facilitated by a financial arrangement involving Luizao's transfer. Red Star Belgrade owed payments for Luizao's move, and since not all installments were paid, Hapoel Tel Aviv offset part of Avuso's transfer fee by withholding some payments to Red Star for Luizao. This creative deal allowed Hapoel Tel Aviv to secure Avuso despite the earlier high valuations and medical concerns. The transfer was confirmed on August 3, 2026, with the club expressing optimism about the new addition strengthening their squad.