Israeli midfielder Ofek Biton accepted the challenge and moved to the Ukrainian club Polesie.
25-year-old attacking midfielder Ofek Biton previously played for Israeli clubs Hapoel Tel Aviv, Section Ness Ziona and Hapoel Jerusalem. He has 145 matches, 18 goals and 11 assists.
This season he played 7 matches and scored one assist. Biton was even involved in the Israeli national team, although his debut has not yet taken place.
Beaton does not hide that the decision to move to Ukraine was not easy.
“Some told me not to go to Ukraine, because there is a war there. But there is also a war in Israel. I want to play in Europe and follow my dream.”– the footballer admitted in an interview on the website of FC Polesie.
Beaton was impressed with the Polesie base, which he said was top notch.
“When I saw it with my own eyes, I realized that this was the best thing I had seen,” he said.
First impressions of Ukraine
The football player quickly adapts to the new team. He notes the high professionalism of the staff, the technical skills of the players and the intense rhythm of training.
“The level is high here. Everything is aimed at development and achieving high results,” Beaton emphasized.
Beaton also admitted that he communicates with friends from Ukrainian football, including Eduardo Guerrero, a player for Dynamo Kyiv. It was Guerrero who helped him make the decision to transfer.
Personal: family and dreams
Beaton revealed that he is supported by his fiancée, who plans to move to Zhitomir with him in the summer after the wedding. He is also going to bring his dog Leni.
Goals and Expectations
Beaton hopes to score at least four goals and four assists in the new season.
— Tell me how it happened that your roads converged with Polesie. What interested you most about this proposal? How did it all begin?
“My dream has always been to play in Europe, and as soon as the offer came from Polesie, a really good team in the Ukrainian league with the opportunity to play in Europe, I didn’t think for a second. And I took this offer with both hands. Two days later I arrived to sign the contract. I was very amazed by both the place and the people, and very pleased.
“I want to prove that I can play at the highest level. This is my chance,” he added.
Israel, Ukraine and new horizons
— What do you think, if we compare the championships of Israel and Ukraine, which one is stronger?
– Ukrainian, I think. Intensity, pace. In my opinion, the Ukrainian championship is a higher level.
— Before this, you knew something about the Ukrainian championship, about Ukrainian football. Perhaps he knew some commands. Or some football player?
“My friends played here and are still playing.” We are talking about Max Grechkin and Eduardo Guerrero, who is now in Dynamo Kyiv. I asked them about the league, about everything that interested me, and they both said that I should accept the offer.
Ofek Biton has become an example for other athletes who dream of great achievements despite difficult circumstances. His story is inspiring and shows how sport connects cultures and transcends borders.
Our website NAnews – Israel News continues to follow the development of Ofek Biton’s career and talk about examples of interaction between Israel and Ukraine.
Table: Career of Ofek Biton
| Period | Club | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–2019 | Hapoel (Tel Aviv) | 45 | 5 | 4 |
| 2019–2022 | Ness Ziona Section | 50 | 8 | 3 |
| 2022–2024 | Hapoel (Jerusalem) | 50 | 5 | 4 |
| 2024 – present | Polesie (Ukraine) | 7 | 0 | 1 |
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