Ido Shahar Faces Domestic Compensation Rules Upon Maccabi Exit
Ido Shahar's contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv runs until summer 2027. Domestic clubs must pay training compensation upon his departure, while foreign teams can sign him for free.
Midfielder Ido Shahar is set to complete his contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the summer of 2027, after which he may pursue the next chapter of his professional career if no extension is reached. Although he will turn 26 and become a free agent, any Israeli club seeking to sign him will be required to pay training compensation to Maccabi Tel Aviv, whereas foreign clubs will be able to acquire him without a transfer fee.
According to the Israel Football Association regulations, players over the age of 24 who finish their contracts are typically permitted to move without compensation. However, a specific exception applies to players departing the club where they spent the majority of their formative years for the first time. Shahar, a product of the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth academy who spent several seasons on loan at other clubs, falls under this classification since loan spells do not constitute a permanent departure.
Financial estimations regarding potential compensation from a domestic club reach approximately 1.2 million shekels, based on theoretical calculations of his developmental years at Maccabi Tel Aviv. Nevertheless, industry experts emphasize that this figure remains purely an estimate.
In the event of a domestic transfer dispute, the exact compensation amount is primarily determined through direct negotiations between the respective clubs. Should negotiations fail, the matter can be referred to the Israel Football Association's Player Status Committee for a binding ruling.
Conversely, international transfers are governed strictly by FIFA regulations, which stipulate that training compensation is generally applicable only up to the end of the calendar year in which a player turns 23. Since Shahar will have surpassed this age threshold, any foreign club signing him upon the expiration of his contract will owe no compensation to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
