Ghanaian forward Emmanuel Boateng has officially completed his transfer to Israeli Premier League club Hapoel Tel Aviv, departing from Turkish side Gaziantep FK where his stint was relatively brief and limited in impact.
The 29-year-old, born on June 17, 1997, in Akwatia, Ghana, has signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with an additional one-year option, and the deal was finalized following his arrival in Israel, successful medical examinations, and agreement on personal terms.
The move was first reported as an agreement in late January 2026, with Boateng traveling to Israel alongside his manager Samuel Darko to wrap up the formalities. Hapoel Tel Aviv’s official channels confirmed that the Ghanaian striker would land in Israel within 24 hours of the initial announcement to sign the contract, subject to passing his medicals.
As part of the transfer, Boateng will wear the Number 9 shirt, positioning him as a central attacking figure for the club, often referred to as one of Israel’s prominent sides and nicknamed the “Reds.”
Boateng’s recent form at Gaziantep FK saw him make 11 appearances in the Turkish Süper Lig during the 2025-26 season, scoring one goal but struggling for consistent minutes.
Prior to that, his career has spanned several leagues, including a previous spell with Hapoel Tel Aviv earlier in his career (from 2018 to 2021, where he made over 60 appearances), as well as stints at Levante in Spain, Rio Ave and others in Portugal, a period in China with Dalian Yifang, and more recently in Turkey.
He brings versatility as a forward capable of playing as a striker or in wider attacking roles, known for his pace, dribbling, and experience across European and Middle Eastern competitions.
This return to Hapoel Tel Aviv marks a homecoming of sorts for Boateng, who previously featured prominently for the club before moving on in 2021. The Ghana international with a handful of caps for the Black Stars arrives amid the ongoing Israeli league season, aiming to provide an immediate boost to Hapoel’s attacking options.