Ex-Arsenal defender Lauren impresses during trial at Mac Tel Aviv

The 32-year-old former international did not feature for Pompey in the 2008/09 season and has struggled with injuries over the past few years.

By ALLON SINAI
arsenal 88 (photo credit: )
arsenal 88
(photo credit: )
Former Arsenal defender Lauren could be a Maccabi Tel Aviv player by the end of the week. On Tuesday the Cameroonian played for the yellow and blue in the first half of its 3-2 victory over National League Hapoel Rishon Lezion in a training match at the Superland Stadium. Lauren has been on trial at Maccabi since the weekend, hoping to sign for the team after his contract at English Premier League club Portsmouth ended in June. The 32-year-old former international, who impressed on Tuesday, did not feature for Pompey in the 2008/09 season and has struggled with injuries over the past few years. He joined Arsenal from Spain's RCD Mallorca in the summer of 2000 for a fee of £7.2 million and made 159 appearances for the club, winning two championships and three FA cups. In January 2007, Lauren moved to Portsmouth after being out for almost a year with a knee injury, but he played just 25 matches for the club before his contract expired over the summer. In other Israeli soccer news, Peruvian international Paolo de la Haza will arrive in Israel on Wednesday and will sign with Betar Jerusalem assuming he passes his medical. The 25-year-old midfielder has most recently played for Peru's Alianza Lima and has also previously played for Ukrainian club Chornomorets Odessa.