Kobi Dajani

Ya'akov "Kobi" Dajani (; born 5 November 1984) is an Israeli former professional association football player and Israel U21 international.

Biography

Early life Kobi Dajani started playing football in the youth ranks of Gadna Tel Aviv Yehuda in Tel Aviv.

Playing career

Domestic Dajani made his first team debut, as a substitute, for Bnei Yehuda in a Premier League match against city rivals, Hapoel on 19 October 2002.

During a training session on 6 October 2009, Dajani got into a heated war of words with youth player, Raphael Maltinsky. After some physical play, Dajani walked over to Maltinsky and headbutted him in the face requiring Maltinsky to be taken to a hospital where he had four stitches put in. Dajani apologized that night to Maltinsky over the phone. The following day, both Dajani and Maltinsky came to training but both were not allowed to train with the club without going before a tribunal.

In June 2010 Dajani signed a 1-year deal with Maccabi Netanya. His debut season with the club proved to be his finest and he is considered by many fans as the MVP of Netanya in the 2010–11 season. In June 2011 he signed a new 4-years contract with Netanya worth $480,000 which means a 60% upgrade to his yearly salary.

International Dajani was part of the Israel national under-21 football team that qualified for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, but was not named to the final squad.

On 17 November 2010 he made his debut for the senior side when Israel played against Iceland.

Statistics As to 1 June 2014

Honours

Team Liga Leumit: Runner-up (1): 2009–10

Individual Israeli Premier League 2010–11 Surprise of the Season