Maccabi Tel Aviv Striker Said Abu Farhi Secures Visa, Flies to Join Colorado Rapids

Said Abu Farhi, striker for Maccabi Tel Aviv, flew to the United States on Wednesday morning to finalize his transfer to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer (MLS). Abu Farhi had been awaiting his visa approval in recent days, which was granted on Tuesday, allowing him to depart ahead of Maccabi Tel Aviv's Europa Conference League second-leg match against Lugano in Georgia. Upon arrival in Colorado, Abu Farhi is set to undergo medical examinations before signing his contract with the Rapids.

The Colorado Rapids will acquire Abu Farhi from Maccabi Tel Aviv for a transfer fee of $6 million, with an additional $1 million potentially payable in performance bonuses. Despite the transfer agreement, Abu Farhi continued to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv in recent matches while awaiting his visa. His departure means Maccabi Tel Aviv will have to compete without him in their upcoming match against Lugano on Thursday at 19:00 local time.

The Colorado Rapids currently sit 11th in the MLS Western Conference with 22 points from 18 matches. The club's owner also holds stakes in Arsenal and other American sports teams. Notably, the Rapids had previously attempted to sign another Israeli player, Stav Lemkin, but he chose to join Dutch club Twente instead. Abu Farhi's move marks a significant step in his career as he embarks on a new chapter in the United States.