Hapoel Haifa goalkeeper Benjamin Matschini in advanced talks with Hapoel Kfar Saba

Benjamin Matschini, who played last season for Hapoel Haifa, is in advanced negotiations with Hapoel Kfar Saba, according to a report published Monday by Sport5. The 29-year-old Jewish goalkeeper is expected to leave Hapoel Haifa after the club extended backup keeper Matan Embar’s contract.

Matschini joined Hapoel Haifa about a year ago after one season with Hapoel Ra'anana in the second division. Earlier in his career, he also played in Sweden for Djurgarden, where he won the league title in 2019. During the season, he briefly had a chance to start, but suffered a quadriceps tear and only returned to fitness after Yoav Gerafi came back to the club and reclaimed the goal.

Hapoel Kfar Saba is also set to part ways with goalkeeper Razi Abu Hamdan, who is on his way to M.S. Ashdod. If the move is completed, Matschini will join the Green side as the club reshapes its goalkeeping roster.

On Sunday night, Matschini said goodbye to Hapoel Haifa fans in a message thanking them for their support, saying it had been a pleasure and honor to play for the club, that he appreciated their warmth and encouragement even though he did not play much, and that he was saddened by Hapoel Haifa’s late-season decline toward relegation danger. He wished the team success next season and ended by saying he loves the supporters.