Oscar Gloukh


Oscar Gloukh is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Eredivisie club Ajax and the Israel national team.
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Early life

Oscar Gloukh was born on in Rehovot, Israel and grew up in the Sha'arayim neighbourhood,about south of Tel Aviv. He is the son of Maxim Gloukh, a former professional footballer of Russian Jewish descent who made aliyah with his family at 13 years old. Once a forward, Maxim played in Ukraine and Moldova, and now runs an independent customs inspection business in Ashdod with his wife.

Club career

Maccabi Tel Aviv

Gloukh made his first-team debut with Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv on 8 August 2021 in a 1–1 draw against Hapoel Jerusalem in the Israeli Toto Cup, which his side ultimately lost 7–6 on penalties.
On 11 April 2022, he made his Israeli Premier League debut in a 1–1 draw against Maccabi Haifa, in which he also scored first goal for the club in the 28th minute.

Red Bull Salzburg

On 27 January 2023, Gloukh was acquired by Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg for a fee of €7 million, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract.
On 20 September 2023, Gloukh netted a goal in the 51st minute of his UEFA Champions League debut, helping secure a 2–0 away win over Benfica. This made him the then-youngest Israeli footballer ever to score in the Champions League, at the age of 19.
On 18 June 2025, Gloukh scored the opening goal in a 2–1 victory against Mexican side Pachuca on the first round of matches of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first Israeli to play and score in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Ajax

On 1 August 2025, Gloukh signed for Eredivisie club Ajax on a five-year contract running until 30 June 2030. The disclosed financial details of the transfer include a base fee of €14.75 million, and a maximum of €2.5 million potential add-ons. According to reports, his contract includes a €1.2 million annual salary net, plus €0.6 million in possible bonuses. He chose the squad number 10 which was previously worn by club legends Dick van Dijk, Dennis Bergkamp, Jari Litmanen, Rafael van der Vaart, and Wesley Sneijder. Ajax technical director Alex Kroes stated about the Israeli: "Oscar is an attacking midfielder who is both creative and talented, contributing goals and assists. He's also an intelligent player with excellent vision, and he is exceptionally eager to learn and ambitious. In our talks, he made it clear that Ajax was the ideal club for his development. His decision to choose Ajax’s sporting project over big money says everything about his character and mentality." Before eventually choosing to join the Godenzonen, Gloukh was also targeted by Atlético Madrid, Porto, RB Leipzig, Roma, and VfB Stuttgart.

International career

Youth

Gloukh has been capped for the Israel under-19 team, and took part in its qualification to the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship for the second time in its history. In the tournament, Gloukh scored 4 goals and made 2 assists, including a goal in the final match against England, a match which ended in a 3–1 defeat after extra time. Gloukh was named one of the tournament's best performers by ESPN, and was named in UEFA's Team of the Tournament. Gloukh's goal against England also earned him the UEFA 2022 Under-19 EURO Goal of the Tournament.
Gloukh has also been part of the Israel under-21 team, making his first appearance on 2 June 2022, and took part in its qualification to the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship for the third time in Israel's history.
Gloukh was selected in the squad to compete in the men's football tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympics. He played all three of Israel's games as they were knocked out in the group stage. He scored an equalizing goal in a 2–2 draw against Paraguay, thus becoming Israel's youngest goalscorer in Olympic history at 20 years and 3 months old.

Senior

In November 2022, Gloukh received his first call-up to play for the senior Israel national team ahead of the home friendly matches against Zambia and Cyprus. On 17 November, he made his senior international debut, coming on as a substitute in a 4–2 victory over Zambia. Three days later, Gloukh both started in the Israeli line-up against Cyprus, as well as scored his first senior international goal in a 3–2 defeat.
Gloukh took part in Israel's qualification campaign for UEFA Euro 2024. In a match against Belarus on 16 June 2023, he came off the bench in the 57th minute and would go on to score a stoppage-time winning goal to give his side a 2–1 victory.

Career statistics

International

Scores and results list Israel's goal tally first.
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
120 November 2022HaMoshava Stadium, Petah Tikva, Israel1–22–3Friendly
216 June 2023Szusza Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary2–12–1UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
39 September 2023Arena Națională, Bucharest, Romania1–11–1UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
45 September 2025Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova4–04–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Red Bull Salzburg
Israel U19
Individual