Suf Podgoreanu
Suf Podgoreanu is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a winger or as a forward for Maccabi Haifa, and the Israel national team.
Early and personal life
Podgoreanu was born and raised in Hadera, Israel, to an Israeli family of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, and is of Romanian-Jewish descent on his father's side. Both his father Danny Podgoreanu and his grandfather played for the local Hapoel clubs as well.He also holds a Romanian passport, on account of his Ashkenazi Jewish ancestors, which eases the move to certain European football leagues.
Club career
Maccabi Haifa
Podgoreanu came through the youth ranks of Maccabi Haifa, where he was a prolific goalscorer for the under-19s, before joining the first team during the 2019–20 season.Podgoreanu made his debut for Maccabi Haifa on 3 June 2020 in a game against Maccabi Tel Aviv in a league match of the 2019–20 season.
Italy
Podgoreanu moved to Italian side Roma at the beginning of the 2019–20 season, initially joining their youth team. After a season under Alberto De Rossi's management with 27 games, 3 goals and 6 assists, where he even joined the bench of the first team for a few games, he was transferred to their Serie A rivals Spezia. Podgoreanu made his debut for Spezia on 19 September 2021, replacing Janis Antiste in a 2–1 Serie A away win.Return to Maccabi Haifa
On 2 September 2022, Podgoreanu returned to Maccabi Haifa on loan with an option to buy.On 16 May 2023, he won his first adult title, as winning the Israeli Premier League championship.
Loan to Heracles Almelo
On 22 August 2024, Podgoreanu was loaned by Heracles Almelo in the Netherlands.International career
Podgoreanu has been a youth international for Israel since 2017.He also plays for the Israel U-21 since 2021.
He was called up for the senior Israel national team in October 2021, during their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers - UEFA. Podgoreanu debuted for a full match with the senior team in a 3–2 home win for Israel against Faroe Islands on 15 November 2021, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers - UEFA, where he had an assist as well.