Ness Zamir

Ness Zamir
נס זמיר

Zamir playing for Beitar Jerusalem in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Ness Nissim Zamir
Date of birth	(1990-10-31) 31 October 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth	Rishon LeZion, Israel
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team	Hapoel Rishon Lezion
Number	11
Youth career
2006–2007	Gadna Yehuda
2007	Hapoel Tzafririm Holon
2007–2008	Beitar Nes Tubruk
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008	Beitar Nes Tubruk[1]	9	(1)
2008–2009	Getafe B
2009–2011	Albacete B
2011–2012	Zaragoza B	6	(0)
2012	→ Maccabi Petah Tikva (loan)	9	(0)
2012–2015	Bnei Yehuda	66	(8)
2015–2016	Beitar Jerusalem	7	(0)
2016–2017	Hapoel Rishon LeZion	33	(9)
2017–2018	Hapoel Petah Tikva	29	(6)
2018–2022	Hapoel Haifa	101	(18)
2022–2023	Sektzia Ness Ziona	15	(0)
2023	Hapoel Hadera	2	(0)
2023–	Hapoel Rishon Lezion	9	(0)
International career
2008–2013	Israel U21	12	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 May 2024

Ness Nissim Zamir (Hebrew: נס ניסים זמיר; born 31 October 1990) is an Israeli professional footballer who plays for Israeli Premier League side Hapoel Rishon Lezion. Zamir also played for the Israel under-21 national football team.

Club career

Early years

Zamir progressed through the youth ranks of clubs in Israel. When he was only 17 years old, Zamir had a trial with Getafe B, which decided to sign him on a professional contract. After playing there in the Segunda División B Groups 1–4, Zamir signed with Albacete B. A number of great games drew the attraction of some La Liga clubs such as Atlético Madrid,^[2] with whom he agreed terms on a multi-year contract.^[3] However, the transfer was put on hold and eventually avoided due to issues with Zamir receiving recognition from the IDF allowing him to be exempt from compulsory military service as an 'elite athlete'.^[4] Zamir is also awaiting a Spanish passport.

Real Zaragoza

On 28 July 2011, Zamir signed with Real Zaragoza on a four-year contract.^[5][6] A key factor in Zamir's decision to sign with Zaragoza was the fact that their football director, Juan Esnáider, knew Zamir well from when he was an assistant coach at Getafe.^[7][8]

Maccabi Petah Tikva

On 30 January 2012, due to his continued failure to receive the status as an 'elite athlete' from the IDF, Zamir signed on a four-month loan deal with Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Petah Tikva.^[9] It was hoped that this move would satisfy the military authorities as to Zamir's abilities and pave the way for him to become an 'elite athlete'. On 4 February 2012, Zamir made his debut for Petah Tikva as an 80th-minute substitute in their league match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Zamir played a key role in Petah Tikva's second goal, which turned out to be the winning goal in the 2–1 result.^[10]

Hapoel Haifa

Zamir signed for Hapoel Haifa in July 2018.^[11]

International career

On 23 March 2011, Zamir made his debut for the Israel under-21 national football team in a friendly tournament against Georgia in the Austrian town of Sankt Veit.^[12] He came on as a 57th-minute substitute for Mohammad Ghadir, scoring six minutes into his debut. Israel won this match 2–0.

References

1. Ness Zamir – Israel Football Association league player details^{[dead link‍]}
2. "Nes Zamir Draws Interest, Tamir Cohen Is Out". IsraelFootball WordPress. 6 May 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
3. "נס זמיר: מקווה לשחק בבוגרים של אתלטיקו מדריד". One.co.il. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
4. "נס זמיר לא קיבל מעמד עילוי, לא ישחק באתלטיקו". One.co.il. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
5. "Ness Zamir, nuevo fichaje del filial, en el Lobanovskiy Tournament". Real Zaragoza. 8 May 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
6. "Ness ya luce la camiseta del Zaragoza". Albadeporte.com. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
7. "נס זמיר חתם לארבע שנים בסראגוסה הספרדית". One.co.il. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
8. "Ness Zamir: ¿un hebreo para el filial?". Diario Aragones. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
9. "נס זמיר קיבל פנייה להגיע למכבי פ"ת ל-4 חודשים". One.co.il. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
10. "טל בן חיים סידר למכבי פ"ת 1:2 על מכבי ת"א". One.co.il. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
11. שחקני הפועל חיפה יממנו שף שיכין אוכל כשר. Einat Hirsh (in Hebrew). 10 July 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
12. "ישראל – גיאורגיה". Football.org.il. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.

External links

• Israel FA league player profile (in Hebrew)
• Israel FA national team player profile (in Hebrew)
• Ness Nissim Zamir at ESPN FC
• Ness Nissim Zamir at Soccerway