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Date of Birth: Monday, May 5, 1980
Birth Place: Israel
Height: 176cm
Position: Midfielder
Former Clubs/Teams: West Ham United, Racing Santander, Maccabi Haifa

Biography

Yossi Benayoun is a midfielder for Israel and Liverpool in the English Premier League. He plays as an attacking midfielder, operating in the ‘hole’ behind the strikers, where he can join up the play and thread neat through-balls to the attackers. He has also been used as a right-midfielder, and has the engine to run all day up and down the flanks. In Israel he is a national hero, and captain of the national side.

Childhood

Yossi Benayoun was born on 5th may 1980 and has long been heralded as the future of Israeli football. He was one of the bright hopes of the Hapeol Beer Sheva academy, and was even offered a contract at Ajax Amsterdam at the age of 16, though he decided to stay in Israel with his family rather than move to Holland. He was already becoming a recognisable face of football in Israel ahead of his debut for the first team.

Early Career

Benayoun’s first-team career began in 1997, when he was selected for the Hapoel Beer Sheva first-team as they fought to stay in the top division. Even Yossi’s 15 goals couldn’t help them stay up, so Benayoun moved to Maccabi Haifa, where Yakubu became a team-mate.

Benayoun continued to score prolifically, though he did sometimes start as a striker. In the first team on a weekly basis, Benayoun helped Maccabi Haifa to the Israeli Premier League title for two years running, and made a reasonable impact on Europe in their Champions League campaign.

A move to Europe followed, with Racing Santander paying £4m for the talented Israel international. Santander were struggling in the league, but Yossi’s goals helped as Santander narrowly avoided relegation for two years running. Racing Santander decided to move forwards with young Spanish players rather than foreigners, so allowed Benayoun to move to West Ham United.

It was his form for West Ham, inspiring them to the final of the FA Cup in 2006, and helping them avoid relegation the season after, that prompted Liverpool boss to take gamble on Benayoun.

Current Club

Yossi Benayoun’s move to Liverpool caused headlines, not least because he had already verbally agreed to extend his West Ham contract. Understandably, Benayoun jumped at the chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, even though it meant competing with the likes of Ryan Babel, Aaron Lennon, Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch for a place in the side. He officially moved on 10th July 2007.

With Peter Crouch moving on to Portsmouth, Benayoun switched numbers to his favourite ‘lucky’ 15 shirt. He is an important, creative force who has been given an extended run in the side as Liverpool challenge for the title.

International

Yossi Benayoun made his international debut on 18th November 1998, aged just 18. Although Israel have struggled to qualify for the World Cups or Euro 2008, Israel are emerging with a great team. Yossi Benayoun is practically worshipped by the Israelis since he became captain after their unsuccessful World Cup campaign.