Maccabi Haifa have strengthened their goalkeeping department, agreeing a loan deal for Omer Nir'on from Maccabi Netanya, ONE reported on Wednesday, ending weeks of on-off negotiations between the two clubs.
The 25-year-old moves to the Sammy Ofer Stadium for the remainder of the season, with Haifa holding a purchase option worth 1.4 million shekels should they wish to make the transfer permanent next summer.
Nir'on arrives to serve as back-up to Omri Glazer under head coach Barak Bakhar, rather than to challenge for the starting jersey. Glazer returned to Haifa this summer after a spell with Serbian giants Crvena Zvezda, signing a three-year contract with the club he left in 2023.
For Nir'on, the move ends a two-and-a-half-year stint at Netanya, whom he joined in January 2024 after beginning his senior career at Beitar Jerusalem. He made 20 appearances for the Sharon club last season, conceding 40 goals and keeping just one clean sheet.
Talks between the clubs had reportedly stalled at times over Netanya's valuation of the goalkeeper before the sides settled on the loan-with-option structure. Haifa had been searching for reinforcements between the posts after their previous backup options moved on.
The deal gives Bakhar a settled goalkeeping pair heading into the new campaign, with Glazer restored as first choice and Nir'on providing experienced cover for a squad preparing for a season that will again include European football.
