Israel's Most Expensive Footballers: The Top 10 Record-Breaking Transfers

Israeli football has long been a pipeline of talent, but in recent years, its stars have started commanding serious figures on the global transfer market. With Oscar Gloukh's impending €15 million move to Ajax making headlines, it's the perfect time to look back at the ten biggest transfers in the history of Israeli football - and the players who broke the bank along the way.

1. Munas Dabbur – €17 million

The crown still belongs to Munas Dabbur, whose 2019 transfer from Red Bull Salzburg to Sevilla set a new benchmark. Though his time in La Liga was brief, the fee cemented his place as the most expensive Israeli player ever - at least for now.

2. Oscar Gloukh – €15 million (pending bonuses)

With his move from Salzburg to Ajax nearly finalized, 21-year-old Oscar Gloukh is hot on Dabbur’s heels. The deal already worth €15 million before add-ons, could soon make him the costliest Israeli export in history. And at his age, the ceiling is far from reached.

3. Munas Dabbur – €12 million

Yes, again. Just a year after joining Sevilla, Dabbur moved on to Hoffenheim for €12 million—proving that not only was he in demand, but clubs were still willing to bet big on him despite his limited impact in Spain.

4. Eyal Berkovic – €8.8 million

In 1999, Berkovic’s move from West Ham to Celtic was a game-changer. At the time, he was one of the most creative midfielders in British football—and his price tag reflected his influence.

5. Liel Abada – €8 million

A more recent entry to the list, Liel Abada joined Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer from Celtic in 2024. Still in his early 20s, the speedy winger left a strong mark in Scotland and made headlines with his move to the U.S.

6. Yossi Benayoun – €7.3 million

The "Diamond from Dimona" had several high-profile moves, but his 2005 transfer from West Ham to Liverpool stood out. At Anfield, Benayoun would go on to shine in European competitions and become a fan favorite.

7. Eran Zahavi – €7.2 million

When Zahavi moved from Maccabi Tel Aviv to Guangzhou R&F in China, it was a watershed moment. The Chinese Super League was booming, and Zahavi was a marquee signing. His goal-scoring exploits there made the investment worthwhile.

8. Oscar Gloukh – €7 million

Before the Ajax saga, Gloukh had already entered the top 10 when he left Maccabi Tel Aviv for Salzburg in January 2023. The €7 million price tag was the largest ever paid for an Israeli teenager at the time.

9. Omer Damari – €7 million

In 2014, Damari’s move from Austria Wien to RB Leipzig reflected the German club’s ambition—and belief in the Israeli striker’s potential. Though his career didn’t explode as expected, the transfer fee made headlines.

10. Yossi Benayoun – €7 million

Benayoun again, this time for his 2007 move from Liverpool to Chelsea. Rarely does a player feature twice in a top 10 list like this—but Benayoun’s career was anything but ordinary.

A New Era of Value

These ten names not only highlight the individual brilliance of Israeli footballers - they reflect a growing global respect for the country’s ability to produce top-tier talent. From Premier League midfield maestros to Bundesliga strikers and now rising stars in Eredivisie and MLS, Israeli football is no longer just a story of underdogs - it’s a marketplace of serious value.

As Oscar Gloukh prepares to take the next big step in his career, one thing is clear: the age of million-euro Israelis is only just beginning.