Hapoel Tel Aviv is very pleased with the signing of Stefan Marinovic. The club said of the addition of the New Zealand goalkeeper who played last season for Hapoel Nof Hagalil: “We brought in a goalkeeper no less good than Israelis who were interested in them like Ariel Harush and Boris Kleiman, but at about half the costs they demanded.”
The club added that “we did not lose a foreigner’s place, because from the beginning the goal was to be with five foreigners, so now we will be with six and will be fine. I wish we had four good foreigners, we know how much it can upgrade us.” Even before Marinovich signed, a last attempt was made to add Ruby Levkovich, but Hapoel Hadera again refused.
The Reds actually had not too much choice. Ariel Harush demanded a two-year contract of $ 150,000 net per season, Boris Kleiman demanded a one-season contract of about 180, Ernests Shtakos demanded a raise from his salary last season, while Hadera did not release Ruby Levkovich. Marinovic signed for about 110,000 euros per season, but the tax on him is lower due to being a foreigner.
Marinovich has a proven track record, but opinions in the Galilee landscape about him were divided. On the one hand, he was defined as a professional, but on the other hand as a not-so-simple personality and one who feels that Israel is “small on him.”
Who is supposed to officially join today is Dor Elo, who will sign for one season with an option for another season and will face Ben Bitton for minutes in the right-back position. Omar Boxenbaum and Kobi Refuah continue to test players in the brake, striker and wing positions, with the management not hiding the desire to sell Doron Leidner again this summer, hoping to get a sum that will balance the budget.
Marco Jankovic has received offers from Poland and Greece, but his representatives have made it clear that at the moment they have a hard time believing that the team that will pay his release clause of 150,000 euros will be found. Hapoel Tel Aviv explained that they would be willing to compromise if a proper offer arrives.