As part of the plans for the 100th anniversary, the club's legendary defender, Douglas da Silva, will return to the line-up for one night. The game will include a first glimpse of the new squad under head coach Michael Valcanis - and a halftime tribute ceremony for the club's legends.
Hapoel Tel Aviv is proud to announce that club legend Douglas da Silva will return to the team for one game, against Spanish side CD Leganes at Bloomfield Stadium on July 15, celebrating the club's 100th anniversary.
"Douglas is a legend at work, a player who wears the red shirt with immense pride and gives his all every time he wears it," said head of football Chen Sol. "After the incredible leadership he projected on his players and his quality performance at TST, Coach Valcanis and I invited him to join us in this special game so that we could bridge the promising future of the club to our historic past and give him the opportunity for one last game in front of the fans he loves at Bloomfield Stadium."
Da Silva was surprised by the invitation from Chen Sol and head coach Michael Valcanis. The former defender will arrive in Tel Aviv ahead of the game to train with the club and prepare for CD Leganes.
"Thank you to Chen Sol, the coach and Kanis and the ownership team for the opportunity to play one last game in front of the fans I love so much, in a stadium where I have so many great memories, and for the club that is a big part of me and my soul," Da Silva said. "It's a huge honour, and not only do I look forward to sharing my experiences with this generation of Hapoel players, but I'll train to compete with dignity, and if coach Valcanis needs me for 90 seconds or 90 minutes, I'll be ready."
The 100-year game will also provide fans with a first look at Hapoel's new squad in the coach's debut - and the competitive and attacking style of football that characterizes it.
"Da Silva's achievements at the club are incredible, and we are bringing him back to inspire and remind us all of the great heights the club can achieve, just before we begin our journey together," Valkanis said. "We will play an attacking style - and the basis for our success will be to establish the identity of a team that gives everything on the pitch every time we step onto the pitch. Leganes is a great club from a very good league - and after two weeks of training, this will be a good first test of tools in our training and building process. However, we want to show our competitive spirit and create a special evening for our fans."
Hapoel Tel Aviv will invite all the players who have made over 100 appearances for the club in its 100 years of existence, who will receive a moving recognition at a special ceremony at half-time. In cooperation with the audience, who will get to thank the players who together recorded thousands of games in red, with 100 seconds of applause.
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