Playing position Role Soccer player 1998–1999 Hapoel Haifa Height 1.75 m | 1999–2002 Benfica Position Forward, Winger Name Alex Zahavi | |
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Full name Alexander Abraham Zahavi Date of birth (1991-01-21) 21 January 1991 (age 24) Place of birth Los Angeles, California, United States | ||
Alexander "Alex" Abraham Zahavi (born January 21, 1991) is a retired Israeli football player.
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Zahavi was born in the United States, the son of a Portuguese mother and Israeli father. He has represented Portugal at youth levels but considered switching federations so he can represent the United States. He is the great nephew of football agent Pini Zahavi. Zahavi is a winger who plays on the left side of midfield, even though he is right-footed.
Professional career
On July 16, 2010, Zahavi joined Maccabi Haifa on trial trying to impress Elisha Levy. On July 26 he was presented as a Maccabi Haifa player after he signed a contract with the club.
Zahavi joined Israeli Premier League club Hapoel Acre in February 2011 on loan for the remainder of the 2010–11 season.
On July 7, Maccabi Haifa announced that they extended Zahavi's contract through the 2015 season, and are loaning him to Portuguese top flight team Vitória de Setúbal for the 2011–12 season. Zahavi joined Portuguese top-flight side S.C. Olhanense for the 2012-2013 season.
International career
Zahavi represented Portugal at various youth levels but was never called into the senior team. Because he played in an official UEFA U17 qualifying tournament for Portugal, he was cap tied to their national team under FIFA eligibility rules. However, since he is also eligible to play for Israel or the United States, he was allowed to file for a one-time only switch with FIFA.
Zahavi was called up to the United States U-20's team in November 2010 for the Torneo de las Americas.
On 20 February 2011, Zahavi was called in for his first Israel U-21 camp. Three days later Zahavi played in a friendly with the under-21 side against FC Arsenal Kyiv. In March 2011, Zahavi was brought in for another training camp. On 17 March 2011 Zahavi was named to the under-21 side for a tournament in Austria. Zahavi made his debut for the side in a friendly against Georgia on 23 March 2011. Zahavi scored his first goal for the under-21 side in a friendly against Romania on 26 March 2011 in Austria. Zahavi floated the ball over the Romanian goalkeeper from 35 metres out after exchanging passes with Nes Zamir.