Arik Yanko

Arik Yanko is an Israeli professional footballer who plays for Hapoel Rishon LeZion.

Biography

Arik Yanko starting playing youth football with Hapoel Tel Aviv. As a youth team player, Yanko cracked four teeth during a derby match against Maccabi but played out the entire match. This endeared him to the youth team staff who saw the young goalkeeper as having a strong character.
Yanko made his league debut in a Premier League match against Maccabi Petah Tikva on 4 April 2009 when he replaced Ben Luz in the 80th minute after back up goalkeeper Yaniv Mizrahi was red-carded. In October 2009, Yanko said that that moment was by far the most exciting moment of his career.

Yanko represented Israel at the 2009 Maccabiah Games, winning a bronze medal.
In 2013, Yanko was a part of Israel U21 squad.