Maccabi Petah Tikva Eyes Former Hapoel Jerusalem Defender Yao After Season Opener Win

Maccabi Petah Tikva began their 2026/27 Israeli Premier League season with a strong 2-1 victory over Hapoel Kiryat Shmona on Saturday. The club is reportedly considering signing defender Yao Illouz, who recently arrived for a trial. Yao, who previously played under Maccabi Petah Tikva coach Ziv Arie at Hapoel Jerusalem, landed on the same day as the match but chose to rest instead of attending the game, raising some concerns about his readiness.

Coach Arie commented on Yao's situation, noting that the player has not played much recently due to a significant injury and that the club has yet to finalize any contract. "We will see him starting tomorrow," Arie said, emphasizing the need for further evaluation before making a decision. Yao has been without a club this season and last played in Italy's Serie C for Virtus Verona, which was relegated to the fourth division.

In addition to Yao, Maccabi Petah Tikva is searching for another foreign central defender, a position they find difficult to fill. Coach Arie mentioned that any further signings depend on the mood of club chairman Avi Luzon, who is known for his competitive spirit. "I assume his mood will be good this week," Arie added.

Yao's last season in Israel was 2024/25, where he made 23 appearances and provided one assist. Over his career in the Israeli capital, he accumulated five assists and one goal in 114 appearances. His previous clubs include Lugano and smaller teams in Italy, as well as Inter Primavera. Maccabi Petah Tikva’s cautious approach reflects their intent to strengthen the squad carefully after a positive season start.