Yosef Shai Benayoun is a midfielder born on 5 May 1980 in Dimona, Israel.
Yossi’s first club was Hapoel Be’er Sheva. Later the footballer moved to the Netherlands and joined the youth team of Ajax. 16-year-old Benayoun became a striker and the best player of the squad, but refused to sign a professional contract with the club, because his family decided to return to Israel.
At the age of 17, Yossi began to perform for the main team of Be’er Sheva, but he failed to prevent his club from being relegated to the second division. After that upset, the footballer transferred to Maccabi and amassed more than 50 goals for the new team during two seasons. One year later, Benayoun helped his club to clinch the title of the Israeli Premier League champion. The following season Yossi and Maccabi successfully repeated their achievement. The footballer managed to find the net 55 times in 130 games.
In 2005 the midfielder penned a four-year contract with West Ham United worth £2.5 million. On 13 August 2005, Benayoun made his debut for the new club in the match against Blackburn and helped his team to make its way through to the FA Cup finals.
In 2007 the Israeli player completed a move on a four-year deal to Liverpool. Yossi’s first appearance for ‘The Reds’ came in the Champions League match against Toulouse. Several days later, the footballer made his first Premier League appearance.
In the summer 2009, Benayoun extended his contract with Liverpool for two years. In the 2009/2010 season there were rumours about Yossi’s transfer to Dinamo Moscow.
On 2 July the following year, it became known London side Chelsea took an interest in the midfielder and wanted to seal a three-year deal worth £5.5 million with him.
Benayoun featured in eight games of the new club and kicked one goal in the away match against Wigan.
On 31 August 2011, the footballer was sent on loan to Arsenal till the end of the season. Yossi took part in 19 games (ten times as a starting squad player and nine times as a sub) and fired four goals.
One year later, Benayoun completed a move on a season-long loan to West Ham United.
In 2013 Yossi was released from the club.
In December 2013 QPR offered Benayoun a contract till the end of 2013/2014 season and the Israeli helped Harry Redknapp;s club to seal promotion to Premier League. After that he signed a deal with Maccabi Haifa.
The footballer leads the Israel national team and chipped in 24 goals in 96 fixtures for his squad.
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