Yoav Ziv


Yoav David Ziv is a retired Israeli footballer. He is currently the first team manager in Maccabi Tel Aviv. As a player he could perform on either flank of the formation, usually attacking from defence as he is adept with both feet, although he favoured the right.

Early life

Ziv was born in Hadera, Israel, to a Jewish family.

Club career

He started playing for Maccabi Haifa in the youth level, he was part of the team that won the 1998-99 season of the Israeli Noar Premier League. He later played with Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel Nazareth Illit with which he achieved promotion from the Liga Leumit to the Israeli Premier League.
In 2006, he moved to Beitar Jerusalem and established himself as a fan favourite, being able to play in both wings or both fullback positions, and even as a central defender. This came as a surprise since Ziv played as a striker in Nazareth.
Before the 2006/2007 seasons there were rumors that Ossie Ardiles might let Ziv go or that Ziv's role will diminish. Under Manager Yossi Mizrahi though, Yoav Ziv regained his status and became a more regular player in the starting lineup playing as the right wingback.
On 28 January 2009, Ziv was signed by Belgian club KSC Lokeren for a €75,000 transfer fee on a two-and-a-half-year contract from Beitar Jerusalem.
On April 2010 Maccabi Tel Aviv announced that Ziv signed a three-year contract with the club.
On 15 July Ziv made his official debut with the Maccabi at UEFA Europe League against FK Mogren and scored his first goal for Maccabi Tel Aviv. During the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League match against Stoke City, he kicked his loose boot at the assistant referee and was sent off.
On October 2016 signed to Liga Leumit club Hapoel Petah Tikva.
On July 2017, Ziv retired from football and was made the first team manager in Maccabi Tel Aviv.

International career

Ziv played a single match for the Israel national under-21 football team. On 15 August 2006, Ziv made his debut for the Israel national football team in a friendly against Slovenia in a game that finished 1–1.

Honours

Club

;Maccabi Haifa
2000/2001
;Beitar Jerusalem
;Maccabi Tel Aviv