Idan Tal
Encyclopedia
Idan Tal is an Israel
i footballer who plays for Hapoel Jerusalem, as a midfielder
.
, the first title in 11 years for the club. He played 14 games until the end of the season before moving on again, this time to CP Mérida
in the Spanish second division
.
Even though Mérida finished in sixth position, the Extremadura
club would be relegated due to irregularities, and Tal returned to Maccabi Petah Tikva, played a handful of games before changing teams – and countries – again, as he signed with Everton
in October 2000, appearing sparingly over the course of two 1/2 seasons.
In January 2003, Tal was released and returned to Spain, joining La Liga
side Rayo Vallecano
, and suffering another relegation, this time on the pitch. In the summer, he signed for Maccabi Haifa FC
.
On November 9, 2005, Tal received French citizenship, a process that took him five years to complete: his eligibility came through his wife Doreen, of French descent. The fact that he had acquired a European passport, along with his contract with Maccabi was due to expire at the end of the season, allowed him to renegotiate a return to Europe on a free transfer, where he would not count as a foreign player. In July 2006, he left the Israeli champions to return to England, signing with Bolton Wanderers
, where he rejoined compatriot Tal Ben Haim
.
During his sole season, as Bolton qualified for the UEFA Cup, as seventh, Tal appeared almost exclusively from the bench (12 out 16 Premier League appearances); he scored once, against Doncaster Rovers
for the season's FA Cup
. In July 2007, at nearly 32, he was sold to Beitar Jerusalem FC, signing a three-year contract worth £
246,000.
He returned to Hapoel Jerusalem in July 2011 as he signed a 3-year contract with the club. On October 26, 2011 he revealed that although he signed a long contract he will retire in the end of the 2011-12 season
if he won't be able to win promotion with Hapoel.
during nine years, scoring five goals.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i footballer who plays for Hapoel Jerusalem, as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Club career
Tal started his career at Maccabi Petah Tikva FC during the 1996–97 season, and played 71 games until his move to Hapoel Tel Aviv FC in the midst of the 1998–99, winning the state cupIsrael State Cup
The State Cup , is a knockout cup competition in Israeli football, run by the Israeli Football Association.The State Cup was first held in 1927–28 as the Palestine Cup...
, the first title in 11 years for the club. He played 14 games until the end of the season before moving on again, this time to CP Mérida
CP Mérida
Club Polideportivo Mérida was a Spanish football team based in Mérida, in the autonomous community of Extremadura.Having played twice in La Liga , the club disappeared in 2000, due to serious economic debts...
in the Spanish second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
.
Even though Mérida finished in sixth position, the Extremadura
Extremadura
Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Its component provinces are Cáceres and Badajoz. It is bordered by Portugal to the west...
club would be relegated due to irregularities, and Tal returned to Maccabi Petah Tikva, played a handful of games before changing teams – and countries – again, as he signed with Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in October 2000, appearing sparingly over the course of two 1/2 seasons.
In January 2003, Tal was released and returned to Spain, joining La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
side Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
, and suffering another relegation, this time on the pitch. In the summer, he signed for Maccabi Haifa FC
Maccabi Haifa F.C.
Maccabi Haifa Football Club is an Israeli football team from the city of Haifa, a section of Maccabi Haifa sports club. The club has won 12 championships, 5 State Cups and 4 Toto Cups...
.
On November 9, 2005, Tal received French citizenship, a process that took him five years to complete: his eligibility came through his wife Doreen, of French descent. The fact that he had acquired a European passport, along with his contract with Maccabi was due to expire at the end of the season, allowed him to renegotiate a return to Europe on a free transfer, where he would not count as a foreign player. In July 2006, he left the Israeli champions to return to England, signing with Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, where he rejoined compatriot Tal Ben Haim
Tal Ben Haim
Tal Ben Haim is an Israeli professional footballer who currently plays for Portsmouth.He can play at either centre back or right back. He is also a member of the Israeli national squad...
.
During his sole season, as Bolton qualified for the UEFA Cup, as seventh, Tal appeared almost exclusively from the bench (12 out 16 Premier League appearances); he scored once, against Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
for the season's FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. In July 2007, at nearly 32, he was sold to Beitar Jerusalem FC, signing a three-year contract worth £
Pound sign
The pound sign is the symbol for the pound sterling—the currency of the United Kingdom . The same symbol is used for similarly named currencies in some other countries and territories, such as the Irish pound, Gibraltar pound, Australian pound and the Italian lira...
246,000.
He returned to Hapoel Jerusalem in July 2011 as he signed a 3-year contract with the club. On October 26, 2011 he revealed that although he signed a long contract he will retire in the end of the 2011-12 season
2011–12 Liga Leumit
The 2010–11 Liga Leumit is the thirteen season since its introduction in 1999 and the 70th season of second-tier football in Israel. It began on 19 August 2011 and will end on 12 May 2012....
if he won't be able to win promotion with Hapoel.
International career
Tal earned 69 caps for the Israeli national teamIsrael national football team
The Israel national football team is the national football team of Israel, controlled by the Israel Football Association .Israel National Football is the direct successor of the Eretz Yisrael National Team during British Mandate...
during nine years, scoring five goals.
Team
- Israeli League: 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
- Israeli CupIsrael State CupThe State Cup , is a knockout cup competition in Israeli football, run by the Israeli Football Association.The State Cup was first held in 1927–28 as the Palestine Cup...
: 1998–99, 2007–08, 2008–09 - Toto CupToto CupThe Toto Cup is an association football tournament that exists separately in the two highest divisions in Israel: the Premier League and Liga Leumit....
: 2005–06, 2009–10
See also
- List of select Jewish football (association; soccer) players