Hapoel Nir Ramat HaSharon have added two experienced faces from a rival newly promoted to Liga Leumit, confirming the signings of defender Reef Mesika, 37, and forward Yossi Twaaba, 27, both arriving from Maccabi Kiryat Gat, ONE reports.
The move is a curious one on paper: Kiryat Gat won promotion to the National League last season, while Ramat HaSharon are aiming to climb straight back up after being demoted from that same division. But both players evidently see a bigger role waiting for them at Grundman Stadium than a step into Liga Leumit with their old club.
Ramat HaSharon's own fall was administrative rather than sporting. The club was dropped out of Liga Leumit ahead of the 2025/26 campaign after failing a budget review, with Hapoel Afula taking their place, ending a run in Israel's top two tiers that had lasted since 2004.
The club has since been taken over by producer Yoav Gross and a group of fellow businessmen, who bought in as the new ownership in January 2026, with Gross installed as chairman. Manager Asi Elimelech, who previously led Hapoel Ra'anana up from Liga Alef, was brought in this summer with the explicit brief of doing the same job again.
Mesika is a well-travelled figure in Israeli football's middle and lower tiers, having represented, among others, Maccabi Netanya, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Kfar Saba and Hapoel Ashkelon across nearly two decades as a professional.
Twaaba arrives with sharper recent form. He scored 18 goals last season split between Migdal HaEmek and Beitar Nordia Jerusalem, form that earned him a move to Maccabi Kiryat Gat for the 2025/26 campaign as that club chased and won promotion out of Liga Alef South.
ONE frames the double signing as a statement of intent from Ramat HaSharon's new regime as it builds a squad capable of an instant promotion push, though the report does not specify whether the deals are permanent transfers, loans or free signings.
Ramat HaSharon are due to open their season with a State Cup tie against Maccabi Ironi Ashdod on August 20, giving Elimelech an early look at his rebuilt group before league matters begin.
