Lior Asulin


Lior Asulin was an Israeli footballer who played as a striker. He was murdered during the Nova music festival massacre, which led to the outbreak of the Gaza war.

Career

Maccabi Herzliya and Ariel Shaiman

A native of Ra'anana, Israel, Asulin grew up in the youth system of Maccabi Herzliya and it was there that he made the jump to Israel's highest league, Israeli Premier League but did not last long as the club was relegated just two seasons after he made the first team.
In Liga Leumit Lior scored a league leading twenty-eight goals, so after the 2001–02 season, club chairman Ariel Shaiman loaned Lior out to clubs in the top league and signed him to a long-term contract with Herzliya hoping to cash in on a large transfer fee.
During his seasons on loan, Lior won the State Cup and established himself as one of the top Israeli strikers in the domestic league. After the 2005–06 season, Herzliya chairman Ariel Shaiman disclosed to the media that he received lucrative offers from Olympique de Marseille and OGC Nice from France, from Russia, Turkey, three teams from Cyprus, and from a team in Greece for Asulin's services though nothing ever came about from said offers.
After winning the State Cup with Bnei Sakhnin, he signed on loan for Beitar Jerusalem.

Hapoel Tel Aviv and Apollon Limassol

In June 2007, Asulin signed for a four-year contract with Hapoel Tel Aviv.
In January 2008, he signed for Apollon Limassol on loan.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Hapoel Ramat Gan

From 2009 to 2011 Lior played for Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Israeli Premier League.
On 17 August 2011, Asulin signed a contract with Hapoel Ramat Gan in Liga Leumit. Asulin helped them win the Leumit double as they won the Toto Cup and the league to secure promotion to the Premier League. He was the club's top scorer in that season, scoring in total 14 goals in all competitions.

Suspension

In April 2012, Asulin participated in the "violent brawl" between Hapoel Ramat Gan and Bnei Lod. He was suspended for 6 games and released from Ramat Gan.

Hapoel Rishon LeZion

In 2012, Asulin signed a new contract with Hapoel Rishon LeZion. On 4 December 2012, he helped the club win their first trophy when he scored a goal and a penalty in the 2012–13 Toto Cup Leumit finals.

Personal Life

In 2021, Asulin pled guilty to 30 drug trafficking offenses connected to Telegrass. He was sentenced to 19 months in prison. He served 8 months at Ma'asiyahu Prison before being released for good behavior.

Death

On 7 October 2023, Asulin was attending a music festival in Re'im, when the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas launched an attack on the festival during the first day of the Gaza war. He was among the 378 people killed during the fighting.

Honours

  • Toto Cup : 2011, 2012
  • Liga Leumit: 2011–12