Jonathan Ginzburg
Orian Goren at the signing ceremony and in the Barcelona uniform (private)
More than a decade after Guy Assolin left Barcelona, there is once again an Israeli who will wear the Blaugrana uniform. It is about 13-year-old Orian Goren, formerly of Maccabi Petah Tikva, who will join the youth department of the Catalans and play in the A boys.
In the ranks of the Malaves he served as captain and on their Facebook it is written: “It’s not every day a young player signs with the great Barcelona.” Officially, Orian Goren, our 13.5-year-old boy, signs with the Spanish luxury team. Good luck on your new path. We have no doubt that you will continue to go as far as possible. Love and already miss you.”
CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Ofir Luzonsaid after the completion of the transaction: “Although Orian was born in the 2009 yearbook, he was always above and played with a bigger yearbook, 2008, in which he also served as the team captain. He was a role model for his friends, his amazing abilities combined with the special modesty he possessed made everyone around him To love him and rejoice in his success.
“He and his family have been loyal to Maccabi PAT throughout the years in which they have been constantly returned by all the Israeli teams. When Laurean opened a door at a world top club, it was clear to us that this was the moment to say goodbye and there are offers that cannot be refused. Maccabi PAT is happy to be the club The Israeli through whom Orian went to one of the biggest clubs in the world. As a club that has engraved on its banner the promotion of players, this is our pride. Good luck dear Orian, your home in Israel will always love you, follow you and wish you success from the bottom of my heart.”
As I remember, Assouline was considered a great promise when he made the move to Barcelona and even received the nickname “the Israeli Messi”. He starred in the youth department and even played in the reserve team, which was then coached by Pep Guardiola, together with Pedro and Sergio Busquets, but in the end he did not live up to expectations, he left for Manchester City in 2010 and since then his career has declined.
In the more recent past, Barca also had Ben Lederman, now 22 years old. The midfielder, who plays in Polish Krakow Czestochowa, was born in the US to Israeli parents and joined the Catalans at the age of 11, but his progress was hampered by the punishment the Catalans suffered for signing young players, some of whom were banned To stay in the club. After leaving Catalonia, Lederman moved to Ghent, he also joined Amidar RG and now, as mentioned, he plays in Poland.
