Personal Conversations, Trust in Beitar Jerusalem and the Desire for Titles: Behind the Signing of Sean Weissman

4.7.2026 / 12:30

The striker spoke with Almog Cohen, Omer Atzili and Yarden Shua, felt wanted, was impressed by the club's improvement in every possible parameter and signed. A source explained: "When you try to sign a top legionnaire, it is not just the money that speaks"

Pre-season match summary: Beitar Jerusalem - Botev Vratsa 2:2

Beitar Jerusalem marked a big win in its professional plans for the upcoming season yesterday (Friday) after announcing the signing of Sean Weissman, who joined the team for two years with an option for an additional season. The striker is expected to earn around 330 thousand euros in the first season, with bonuses in his contract for winning the championship, the cup as well as successes and progress in the European arena.

Weissman, 30, returns to Israel after seven seasons in Europe during which he played for clubs including Wolfsburg, Real Valladolid, Granada, Salernitana and Blau-Weiss Linz. The striker who grew up at Maccabi Haifa played for all of Israel's youth national teams and also recorded 33 appearances for the senior national team.

Weissman is expected to join his new teammates on Sunday or Monday when he arrives in Pravets, Bulgaria, where Beitar is holding its training camp. The yellow-and-blacks ended their first pre-season test yesterday in a 2:2 draw against Bulgarian side Botev Vratsa, and on Tuesday they face another friendly against Arda, also from the Bulgarian top flight.

Significant reinforcement up front. Weissman

Since Almog Cohen was appointed coach of Beitar Jerusalem, the club identified two positions in need of significant reinforcement - striker and defensive midfielder - with plans to bring Dan Glazer into midfield and search for a high-caliber foreign striker. Once the opportunity arose to add Weissman and the message came from his representatives and the striker himself that he was willing to return to Israel, the club decided to do everything possible to sign him.

"When you try to sign a top legionnaire, it is not just the money that speaks," said a source at Beitar about what happened behind the scenes. "A legionnaire returning to Israel, especially after so many seasons at clubs across Europe, wants to join a top club in Israeli football, one that fights for titles and believes in the path and that the club is moving forward."

Weissman saw Beitar compete for the title last season and believes this team can win trophies in Israel. He spoke with club officials, including coach Almog Cohen as well as senior players such as Omer Atzili and Yarden Shua, who made him feel very wanted and understand that he would be one of the key players in the squad and one of the highest earners. Alongside all this, he also saw the many changes that have taken place at Beitar in recent years, from the renovation of the training facility, the professionalism introduced in the physiological and medical departments, the gym, nutrition at the club and virtually every possible parameter, which led him to realize he was joining a European-style club in every sense.

Impressed by developments in the capital. Weissman

With the signing of Weissman, Beitar's attacking line appears significantly strengthened, as he will play alongside Omer Atzili, Yarden Shua, Timo Mozzi, Samuel Kalu and Eugene Ansah. Beitar will now look for a foreign defensive midfielder to complete, at least for now, the squad with which the team will head at the end of the month to a pair of matches against Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.