Shai Biruk

Shai Biruk (Hebrew: שי בירוק; born June 15, 1984) is an Ethiopian-born Israeli footballer. He moved to Israel at the age of six with his family. While playing for the Israeli youth academy, Beitar Nes Tubruk, his footballing talent was noticed by scouts from the Dutch football club Ajax.

Shai Biruk

Personal information
Date of birth	(1984-06-15) June 15, 1984
Place of birth	Ethiopia
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1999–2003	Beitar Nes Tubruk
2003	Ajax Amsterdam
2003–2004	Maccabi Haifa
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2006	Maccabi Haifa	45	(7)
2006–2007	Maccabi Netanya	20	(0)
2008	Hapoel Be'er Sheva	7	(0)
2008	Hapoel Bnei Lod	2	(0)
2011	Hapoel Ashkelon	11	(1)
2011–2012	Hapoel Kfar Saba	13	(1)
International career‡
2000–2001	Israel U16	6	(0)
2001–2003	Israel U19	8	(3)
2004–2005	Israel U21	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 July 2006 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 1 July 2006

Career

Biruk accepted an offer to join the youth system in Amsterdam only to come back to Israel six months later citing homesickness. During his time at Ajax, he met a fellow Jewish Israeli footballer named Daniël de Ridder and was the first to report on Ajax having a Jewish Israeli on their books to the Israel Football Association.

He was the subject of a short tug of war between Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Haifa FC. He decided to commit to Haifa and joined their youth team before making a call up to the full side about two seasons later. After three years in the full side, his contract was not renewed so he left on a free transfer. On August 21, 2006, he agreed to a one-year deal with Maccabi Netanya.

In the start of 2008 he moved to Hapoel Be'er Sheva. In July 2008 Biruk moved to Hapoel Bnei Lod where he last played football professionally, though he has never announced retirement.

As of June 2, 2010 Biruk is on trial with FC Thun. After a trial that lasted 4 months he is due to sign a contract with the club in January 2011, but in the end he signed for Hapoel Ashkelon.

Honours

• Israeli Premier League:
  • Winner (3): 2003–04, 2004-05, 2005-06
  • Runner-up (1): 2006-07

External links

• Shai Biruk – Israel Football Association league player details