Ben Sahar, an Israeli footballer born on 10 August 1989 in Holon, pursued a career as a professional striker that spanned multiple international leagues. His early talent earned him a move to the English Premier League, where he began his path with Chelsea at the age of sixteen after initial training at the Sportop Football Academy and Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Early Career and Chelsea
Sahar joined Chelsea in May 2006 for a fee of £320,000 following a successful trial. He made his first-team debut on 6 January 2007 against Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup, entering as a substitute for Salomon Kalou. His Premier League debut followed on 13 January 2007 against Wigan Athletic. During his time under contract at Stamford Bridge, he appeared as a substitute against Manchester United and Everton.
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The striker spent significant time on loan to gain first-team experience. He joined Queens Park Rangers in July 2007, though recurring injuries limited his impact during nine league appearances. In February 2008, he signed with Sheffield Wednesday. He provided three goals in 12 appearances for the club, including a goal against Norwich City that helped secure the team's survival in the Championship. Later that year, he signed a six-month loan deal with Portsmouth but did not make a competitive appearance for the side.
Eredivisie and Espanyol
In January 2009, Sahar moved to the Dutch club De Graafschap. He scored five goals in 16 league matches, including his first Eredivisie goal against Willem II. He added another goal during the relegation playoffs. Following his stint in the Netherlands, he moved to Espanyol in 2009 for a transfer fee of £1 million, signing a four-year contract and taking the number 14 jersey.
Military Service
As an Israeli citizen, Sahar was required to fulfill mandatory military service in the Israel Defense Forces. Legislative efforts, informally referred to as The Ben Sahar Law, attempted to allow him to complete national service in England, but the proposal failed. He subsequently served in the military, which included requirements to report to his base during vacations in Israel.
Fast facts
- Born: 10 August 1989, Holon, Israel
- Primary Position: Striker
- Chelsea Debut: 6 January 2007
- Espanyol Signing Fee: £1 million
- Citizenship: Israel, Poland
- Languages: Hebrew
Questions readers ask
Did Ben Sahar play for the Israel national team?
Yes, Ben Sahar played for the Israel national team during his career as a professional footballer.
Why was there a law nicknamed The Ben Sahar Law?
Israeli lawmakers proposed legislation intended to allow him to complete national service in England instead of returning to Israel for military duty, but the bill did not pass.
