Eyal Golasa


Eyal Golasa is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Early life

Golasa was born in Netanya, Israel, to a Mizrahi Jewish family.

Club career

Maccabi Haifa

Born in Netanya, Israel, Golasa came from the highly successful youth system of Beitar Nes Tubruk. In the summer of 2008, he joined Maccabi Haifa. He made his debut in the 2008–09 Israeli Premier League. The midfielder remained a substitute at the beginning of this season until coming off the bench in a UEFA Champions League match against Kazakh champion FK Aktobe on 4 August. Golasa came off the bench, almost singlehandedly turning around a 0–3 deficit as Maccabi claimed a vital 4–3 victory. After leading Maccabi to the playoff stage of the UEFA Champions League, Golasa scored a goal against Red Bull Salzburg, as the Israelis won 3–0. This result enabled the Israelis to return to the group stages of Europe's elite competition. At that time he was being monitored by major European clubs. Websites specializing on football scouting would present him as the new star of the Israeli football.
On 1 February 2010, Golasa had reportedly signed a contract with Italian club S.S. Lazio. Five days later, the club announced the signing on a 4.5-year deal. However, Golasa decided to return to Israel to rejoin Maccabi Haifa and apologised for joining Lazio without informing Maccabi Haifa. Maccabi Haifa confirmed the player was staying and stated the Lazio contract was not valid because they had not been informed of negotiations between Golasa and Lazio.
He was suspended for six months by Maccabi Haifa after agreeing to sign a new contract. He made a verbal agreement but later backed out, causing club boss Jacob Shachar to suspend him until the end of the season, after which he was sold to PAOK.

PAOK

On 24 June 2014, Golasa was transferred to the Greek football team PAOK for an undisclosed fee till summer 2017. He could not help the club during the Super League 2014–15 play-offs as he suffered a second degree sprain in the left groin and medical reports stated he would be back in action after four to six weeks.

Maccabi Tel Aviv

In July 2016, Golasa returned to his native Israel, joining Maccabi Tel Aviv.

International career

Golasa has played extensively for his nation at youth level from the under-17 side, to the under-21 side. On 9 February 2011, he made his international debut in a 2–0 home friendly loss against Serbia.

Career statistics

Club

Honours

;Maccabi Haifa
;Maccabi Tel Aviv