Medunjanin back at Mac TA ahead of Beitar clash

“I am happy to be here and delighted the club gave me a chance to do what I didn’t in the past and that is winning titles for Maccabi Tel Aviv,” Medunjanin says.

By ALLON SINAI
Haris Medunjanin. (photo credit: MACCABI TEL AVIV WEBSITE)
Haris Medunjanin.
(photo credit: MACCABI TEL AVIV WEBSITE)
Haris Medunjanin could make his debut for Maccabi Tel Aviv as soon as Monday night’s Premier League match at Beitar Jerusalem, a day after signing a one-a-half-year deal to return to the yellow-and-blue.
The 30-year-old Bosnian international, who scored 15 goals in 66 appearances for Maccabi between 2010 and 2012, successfully underwent a medical on Sunday and joins the club from Spanish outfit Deportivo La Coruna on a free transfer.
“I am happy to be here and delighted the club gave me a chance to do what I didn’t in the past and that is winning titles for Maccabi Tel Aviv,” Medunjanin told the club’s website.
“I heard that the club has changed since I was last here, and I can’t wait to meet my new and some of my old teammates.”
Sports director Jordi Cruyff was especially pleased with the new signing as he can draw from his previous experience in Israel, while his transfer didn’t cost the club a single shekel. “In our search for the adequate profile to strengthen the club we really liked the fact that Haris is a talented and mature player with international experience playing for Bosnia,” said Cruyff. “The fact he played in Israel in the past also makes his adjustment easier and we want his strong personality in the dressing room and feel that it is the right timing for the player and the club.”
Maccabi is aiming to close back within a single point of Hapoel Beersheba in first place with a win at Teddy Stadium on Monday, and coach Peter Bosz said Medunjanin could play a part despite only first training with the squad on Sunday.
“I know him from Holland. He has had a fantastic career and he is a player who has skills and technique that bring something extra to the game,” said Bosz. “When I look at the team in the midfield you need different types of players.
“Gal Alberman is one type of player and Haris is something else, one who can put the ball in front of the goal and he is a type of player that we don’t have. We are looking for extra quality at this point.”
On Sunday, Hapoel Acre and Maccabi Haifa drew 1-1. Boris Kopitovic gave Acre the lead in the ninth minute, with Glynor Plet equalizing for Haifa from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute. Acre remained in the relegation zone, but closed within two points of Hapoel Tel Aviv, while Haifa climbed up to fifth place above Maccabi Petah Tikva.