The Ukrainian club Metalist 1925 sent an official request to Maccabi Haifa with a proposal to discuss the possible transfer of goalkeeper Georgiy Ermakov. The response from the Israeli side was firm and unequivocal: the player’s departure is excluded.

According to sources, the Kharkiv club indeed considered Ermakov as a real target. His name was on the shortlist, and the interest was not exploratory but substantive. Nevertheless, in Haifa, it was immediately made clear: even in theory, discussing a transfer in the middle of the season is impossible.

The management of “Maccabi” emphasizes that Ermakov is part of the team’s current structure. The goalkeeper position is considered critically important for the fight for titles and stability in European competitions, and any personnel changes in this area are considered an unjustified risk.

No official statements have been published by the parties yet, but in the football community, Maccabi Haifa’s refusal is already perceived as the final point in this transfer episode.

Who is “Metalist 1925” and why the club is looking for reinforcements

“Metalist 1925” is a new generation Kharkiv club, founded in 2016 after the collapse of the historic “Metalist”. The project was initially built as a fan-based and identification one — with a focus on Ukrainian players, local support, and gradual growth.

The team has progressed from the lower divisions to the UPL and in recent seasons is trying to establish itself at a stable level. The search for an experienced goalkeeper is part of this strategy, especially against the backdrop of high competition and a tight schedule.

From this perspective, the interest in Ermakov seems logical. A goalkeeper with a Ukrainian background, international experience, and stable practice in Israel perfectly fit the profile that the Kharkiv club was looking for.

Not just football: Ermakov’s principled position

Ermakov’s name is known not only for sports reasons. On July 31, 2025, he publicly refused to shake hands with players of the Belarusian club “Torpedo-BelAZ” before a European competition match.

The gesture was deliberate. Belarus is viewed in Ukrainian society as a co-aggressor in the war against Ukraine, and the refusal of a formal handshake became a continuation of the line that Ukrainian athletes have adhered to since 2022.

The episode was captured on camera and caused a resonance in several countries — in Ukraine, Israel, and Belarus. For the Ukrainian and Jewish diaspora in Israel, this act became a symbol of silent protest, personal choice, and internal consistency.

Personal connection with Israel

In one of his first interviews already as a player of “Maccabi Haifa”, Ermakov emphasized: in Kyiv, he studied at a Jewish school. He calls this fact an important part of his biography and personal development.

It was in this educational environment that he developed a sense of community and respect for traditions. In the spring of 2022, his parents, fleeing the war, moved to Israel and settled in Holon. Ermakov himself regularly visited his family, gradually adapted to life in the country, and began learning Hebrew.

Therefore, the transition to an Israeli club became for him not only a professional step but also a personal decision — an opportunity to play in an environment where his position is understood and does not cause pressure or ambiguous expectations.

Against this background, Maccabi Haifa’s refusal to negotiate looks not just like a sporting decision, but a value-based one. Ermakov remains in a team where his contribution is perceived comprehensively — both on and off the field. It is such stories and contexts that NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency consistently records.