In the summer of 2020, Roi Harman moved up from the youth team of Hapoel Ra'anana from the National League to the senior team.
Like every young player, he dreamed of making a leap, moved to Beitar Jerusalem in the summer of 2021, and after a season in the capital, which was mostly full of problems and uncertainty, he became a legionnaire in the Bulgarian league last summer when he joined Botev Plovdiv.
He received the interesting offer from Bulgaria even before Bitar was purchased by Barak Abramov and when no one knew if the team would open the season. He understood that it was time to get out of the comfort zone, and he does not regret it.
"The Premier League and the league in Bulgaria are at the same level", he declares in a conversation with "Israel Today", "there are very high quality teams here with high budgets and teams that play regularly in the European establishments".
Without a doubt, Herman is happy with where he is, certainly after he qualified with the young team for the European Championship that will be held this summer.
After two years of not knowing where his career would develop, he now feels that he is on the right path.
Weren't you worried that you wouldn't be remembered if you played in a league that is not seen in Israel?
"I'm less interested in consciousness. I came here to work hard, show my abilities and try to advance to a higher league. I really wanted to experience a different mentality and it was important for me to take this step. I'm very happy that the opportunity fell to me to come to a club that strives forward and invests in young players."
Herman, photo: courtesy of Botev Plovdiv
Wouldn't it be better to stay in another group in Israel?
"Before I went abroad I had a lot of options in Israel, but I saw the big picture and my dream, which is to reach a big team in Europe.
I am sure that if I continue on my path it will come, I went abroad to advance."
Botev is in 13th place in the league, what are your ambitions?
"My team started the season less well. I was waiting for a work permit, so I only started playing in the fifth round and I lost the qualifiers of the Conference League, where the friends lost to Apoel Nicosia. It really disappointed me that I did not participate in the game and could not help them, but now we are progressing from game to game and we see Good. The ambition is to finish as high as possible. I'm sure we'll have a good season."
Ludogorets has taken over the Bulgarian league in the last 11 years. How far is Botev from her?
"Ludogorets is the team with the biggest budget in the league, by a significant margin. Every year they sign quality players and have a very broad roster. They play every season in European establishments, so they come to the league with superiority. There are quality teams here that make it difficult, but right now it is Just big on the league."
"We have a special generation"
At the end of September, Herman participated in one of the greatest achievements of Israeli football in recent years, when the young team qualified for the European Under-23 Championship that will begin this June in Romania and Georgia - an achievement that completed a great summer for all Israeli national teams of all ages.
Herman in the national team uniform, photo: Alan Shiver
"Israeli football in general, and the young team in particular, is making great progress, and this is reflected in the achievements. We have a lot of talented players in the country and a generation that is very special. I am happy that the work is bringing results, because we have a lot to contribute."
With great players like Oskar Gloch, Daniel Peretz and others, where can you go in the European Championship?
"We really have a team with great talents. In every tournament in which we participated we showed our abilities, we did not reach the Euros by luck. I am happy that at the most important and critical moment we were able to do it. We will strive to make the best tournament. I believe in my friends and myself that we will show what we are know".
You celebrated your 22nd birthday last summer. Where do you see yourself in three years?
"I don't know what will happen in the near future, but I will do everything to reach a senior team that will regularly participate in the European events, this is one of my dreams. My biggest ambition is to fulfill my childhood dream - to represent the senior team."
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