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Socceroo Sainsbury joins top Israeli club

3 minute read

Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury has completed his move from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven to Maccabi Haifa in Israel.

TRENT SAINSBURY of Australia in action during an Australian Socceroos training at Arasen Stadion in Oslo, Norway.
TRENT SAINSBURY of Australia in action during an Australian Socceroos training at Arasen Stadion in Oslo, Norway. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury has joined Israeli club Maccabi Haifa on a two-year deal.

The 27-year-old completed the move on Thursday from Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

Sainsbury had been on the lookout for a new club despite having two years to run on his contract with PSV after coach Mark Van Bommel said he was surplus to requirements earlier this month.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said the move made sense for his son-in-law.

"The alternative, at this stage, was sitting on the bench at PSV or not being in the squad and watching," Arnold said.

"He wasn't playing at PSV, didn't have much gametime last year and it's all about getting back on the stage and performing.

"The fact that he's going to go there and play every week, I expect that Trent will go to another level."

The former Central Coast Mariners player will join fellow Australian Nikita Rukavytsya at his new club.

Rukavytsya, 32, has been at Maccabi since 2016 and has scored 31 goals in 102 appearances for the club.

One of Israel's Big Four, The Greens have won 12 league titles but finished second last season and are currently on a nine-year championship drought.

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