The prolific striker who conquered leagues from Israel to China
In short: Eran Zahavi is a scoring machine whose clinical finishing has shattered records across multiple continents. From dominating the Israeli Premier League to becoming the 'King of Yuexiushan' in China, his ability to find the net has made him one of Israel's most decorated footballing exports.
Born in Rishon LeZion on 25 July 1987, Zahavi's career is defined by an extraordinary ability to score in high-stakes moments. During his tenure with Maccabi Tel Aviv, he achieved a remarkable feat by winning the Israeli Premier League top scorer title for three consecutive seasons: 2013–14, 2014–15, and 2015–16. His 35 goals in the 2015–16 season set a new league record, breaking a six-decade-old mark established by Nissim Elmaliach in 1954–55.
Zahavi's influence extended far beyond Israeli borders. After joining Guangzhou R&F in 2016 for a reported $12.5 million, he became a dominant force in the Chinese Super League. He was named the 2017 league MVP and broke the single-season scoring record in 2019 with 29 goals, surpassing the previous record held by Elkeson. His success in China earned him the nickname 'the King of Yuexiushan'.
His journey also included a stint in the Italian Serie A with Palermo and a period in the Dutch Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven. While at PSV, he matched a club record by scoring eight European goals in a single season, a feat previously shared by Willy van der Kuijlen and Gerrie Deijkers in the 1970s. On the international stage, Zahavi has become Israel's all-time leading goalscorer, with 35 goals to his name.
Beyond the pitch, Zahavi's life has seen significant complexity, including a period of hiatus from the national team due to a hotel room dispute in 2022 and a harrowing home invasion in Amsterdam in May 2021. He announced his retirement from professional football in January 2026 at the age of 38.
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