Yaniv Katan

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Yaniv Katan (; born July 1, 1979) is an Israeli footballer. He plays in offensive middle position, and sometimes in attacker position.

Biography
Katan joined Maccabi Haifa at the age of nine. He quickly raised the club's ranks, becoming a regular member of the first Haifa team at the age of 16. In 2002 during the second round of the UEFA Champions League against Haka FC, he was temporarily the second Israeli (after Alon Mizrahi) to score a hat in Europe. The following season, Maccabi reached the band stages, and Katan opened the score against Manchester United twice: in the 5-2 defeat and in the 3-0 home victory (which was played in Cyprus for security reasons).

In , Katan signed a four-year contract with West Ham United FC, where he joined Israel's international companion Yossi Benayoun. The transfer (officially completed during the transfer mercato of ) involved fees at reduced prices, as Katan had only six months on his Maccabi contract.

The pre-centre made eight appearances under the "Hammers" jersey, facing fierce competition with attackers such as Marlon Harewood, Teddy Sheringham, Dean Ashton and Bobby Zamora all struggling to be the incumbent.

At the end of the 2005-2006 season, Yaniv returned to Maccabi Haifa on loan, after Alan Pardew told him he was no longer in his plans.

Career
1998-2006: Maccabi Haifa
2006-2007: West Ham United
2006-2007: Maccabi Haifa (loaned by West Ham)
2007-2014: Maccabi Haifa

References

External links

Israeli international footballer
Player of the Maccabi Haifa
Player of West Ham United FC
Birth in January 1981
Birth in Haifa District