Maccabi Tel Aviv Signs Daniel Theis After Unique Negotiations and High Demands

Maccabi Tel Aviv has officially signed experienced German center Daniel Theis to a two-year contract worth $4.4 million, with $2.2 million per season. The negotiations lasted about a week, initiated after Theis’s talks with Villeurbanne stalled amid uncertainty about that club's situation. Theis’s camp then reached out to Maccabi, which was actively seeking a senior center to be the team’s starter.

Theis held several discussions with Maccabi’s head coach, Oded Katash, who outlined the team’s professional plans and Theis’s expected role. Club chairman Shimon Mizrahi was personally involved, frequently communicating with Theis to advance the deal, alongside professional manager Claudio Coldebella who expedited the process. Maccabi made clear from the start that Theis was a top priority, and the player was eager to join.

During the talks, other European teams showed interest, including a Spanish club that nearly secured him, but that option quickly faded. Theis was convinced by the significant role he would have at Maccabi and received positive feedback from current players and club insiders. Unlike other foreign players in recent years, Theis did not inquire about Israel’s security situation; his main concern was the location of Maccabi’s EuroLeague home games, which will be held in Belgrade, a fact he accepted.

Initially, Theis’s family will not relocate to Israel, not due to security concerns but because they did not enjoy their previous stay in Monaco. The player also made several personal requests: a residence with a balcony to accommodate his large dog, a dog sitter during team travels and his absences, and a preference for a large car, ideally an Audi, for comfort.

This signing marks one of Maccabi’s most significant acquisitions this summer, reflecting high standards and close involvement by the club’s leadership to secure the deal.