- February 5, 2026
- 9:08 pm
- Ukraine
“FC Kryvbas welcomes Shami Adam to our big red and white family!”
Football today has long ceased to be “outside politics.” Ukraine is not just at war — it is defending itself and bleeding from Putin’s aggression, from bombs, missiles, and targeted Holodomor.
At the same time, Israel is conducting military operations in Gaza and living under constant threat — at the borders, from Iran, and from terrorist organizations.
Against this backdrop, the invitation of an Israeli footballer to a Ukrainian club looks not just like a sporting decision, but a conscious gesture of solidarity.
Ukrainian FC Kryvbas continues to actively work in the transfer market and has officially filled another position in attack. The Kryvyi Rih club announced the signing of 20-year-old forward Shami Adam, who became the third newcomer to the team in the winter off-season.
This is a loan agreement for six months with an option for subsequent purchase. In the new team, the footballer will play under number 11 — a decision that emphasizes his role in the coaching staff’s attacking plans.
The press service of FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih reported this on February 5, 2026.
Who is Shami Adam and why does Kryvbas need him
Shami Adam is a versatile attacking player capable of playing both on the flank and in the center of attack. The footballer has dual citizenship — Israel and Sudan, which makes him particularly interesting in terms of international experience and playing school.
Adam’s last club was Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he went through the full training path — from youth teams to debuting for the main squad. It was in Tel Aviv that he developed as an attacking player with an emphasis on speed and one-on-one play.
Later, the forward gained regular playing practice at Maccabi Jaffa, for which he played 29 matches and scored three goals. For a young player, this is an important stage — stable minutes, an adult league, and adaptation to intense football.
Career and playing data
Shami Adam was born on February 21, 2005. His profile is as follows:
- position: winger / forward
- citizenship: Israel, Sudan
- height and physique: oriented towards dynamic, fast football
- number in Kryvbas: 11
The footballer’s professional path includes:
- Hapoel (youth teams, until 2022)
- Hapoel U-19 (2022–2023) — 23 matches, 14 goals
- Hapoel Tel Aviv (2023–2024) — debut for the first team
- Maccabi Jaffa (2024–2026) — 29 matches, 3 goals
Season context and club objectives
Kryvbas finished the winter break in fifth place in the standings, with 26 points. The team retains chances to compete for European cup positions, and every reinforcement is now seen not as a future investment but as a tool for the second part of the championship.
In this context, Adam’s signing seems logical: a young, motivated player familiar with the Israeli football school and ready to compete for a place in the lineup right now.
In the middle of the season, such transfers are especially indicative — NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency has repeatedly noted that Ukrainian clubs are increasingly paying attention to players with experience in Israel, seeing in them a combination of discipline, tactical preparation, and physical endurance.
Official club position
In Kryvbas, they emphasize that Adam is considered a full-fledged element of rotation, not a formal strengthening of squad depth. The loan model with a purchase option gives the club space to evaluate the player in combat conditions.
The press service of FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih has already welcomed the newcomer to the “red and white family,” and the footballer himself is expected to join the training process soon and adapt to the requirements of the Ukrainian championship.
Ahead is the second part of the season, where every transfer will be tested not by press releases but by the standings.
The story of Shami Adam is not just about a number on a jersey and minutes on the field.
It’s about a country that is at war and still open to the world, and about Israel, whose citizens are invited to play and live where solidarity is especially valued today.
When war is happening both here and there, such decisions become more than sports — they become a signal: the connection is not broken, and the choice is made consciously.