Aviram Baruchyan

Baruchyan began at Beitar Jerusalem's youth academy at the age of nine and was promoted to the senior squad while he still had a year of youth football remaining.[1] At 19, he was already attracting attention for his passing, speed, vision, and ability to build attacks, and had represented Israel at cadet, youth, and Olympic-team levels.[1] He is the nephew of Uri Malmilian, a former Beitar Jerusalem star.[1]

Baruchyan made his mark on the Beitar first team early. In October 2004, coming off the bench after being dropped following a defeat to Bnei Sakhnin, he scored from around halfway in a 4–1 win over Hapoel Be'er Sheva — a goal that showcased his potential.[1] He had registered his first Premier League goal in an earlier 4–1 loss to Hapoel Tel Aviv.[1]

By May 2007, Baruchyan had become a valued squad member. He came on as a substitute in Beitar's 2–0 win over Hapoel Petah Tikva, scoring two minutes before the final whistle by striking with the outside of his right foot, a goal that put the result beyond doubt as Beitar moved closer to the league title.[6] The club went on to claim the 2006/07 championship, the first of two consecutive league titles in which Baruchyan played a part.[4]

In the Toto Cup quarterfinal second leg against Maccabi Petah Tikva in December 2007, he delivered one of his most complete individual displays, scoring twice in a 2–1 win that took Beitar through 3–2 on aggregate.[7] His first goal came from a diving header off a cross by Amit Ben-Shushan; for the second, Ben-Shushan played him through and Baruchyan scored between the goalkeeper's legs.[7] Despite struggling at times to secure a regular place in the league starting lineup under coach Itzhak Schum, his link-up play with Ben-Shushan made him a firm fan favorite.[7]

The 2008/09 UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign produced perhaps his most memorable moment in a Beitar shirt. He scored both goals in Beitar's 2–1 home victory over Wisła Kraków.[3] The result ultimately proved insufficient: Beitar lost the return match in Poland 5–0 and were eliminated.[3]

In 2008, while already under contract, Baruchyan signed a four-year extension worth approximately $280,000 per season.[8] He had turned down an approach from a Spanish club to commit his future to Beitar, with the extension improving both the length and value of his existing deal.[8] By 2010, he had been named club captain, and the arrival of new head coach Uri Malmilian — his uncle — drew considerable attention.[9]

In August 2006, national-team coach Dror Kashtan called him up to the Israel squad.[10] Before his departure from Beitar in January 2012, he had started 17 of the club's 19 league matches that season and captained the side in his final game, a 3–0 defeat at Hapoel Haifa.[11]

In January 2012, the 26-year-old midfielder joined Polish top-flight side Polonia Warsaw, with Beitar agreeing to release him for around €150,000 in compensation because he was due to be out of contract at the end of the season.[11] "I'm really happy. I have realized a childhood dream," Baruchyan said at the time, thanking Beitar and its supporters.[11]

He returned to Israel in September 2012, signing a two-year contract with Hapoel Be'er Sheva.[12] Be'er Sheva coach Elisha Levy welcomed the signing, citing Baruchyan's experience, technical ability, and understanding of the game, while Baruchyan expressed his desire to return to the football he knew.[12]

After his stint with Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Baruchyan rejoined Beitar Jerusalem for the 2013/14 season.[4] In February 2014, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 Premier League win over Maccabi Haifa, converting a penalty in the 65th minute after Haifa defender Sari Falah handled a Baruchyan free kick.[13] It was Beitar's first Premier League victory over Maccabi Haifa in six years and left the club 11 points clear of the relegation zone.[13]

Across his two spells at Beitar, Baruchyan made 201 appearances.[3] His honors with the club included league championships in 2006/07 and 2007/08, State Cups in 2007/08 and 2008/09, and the Toto Cup in 2009/10.[4] He scored 42 goals across his Israeli Premier League career.[3]

Following his second departure from Beitar, he went on to play for Hapoel Katamon, Hapoel Rishon LeZion, and Hapoel Adumim Ashdod.[3] Katamon won promotion to the National League during his time at the club.[3] In November 2019, aged 34, he moved to Beitar Nordia Jerusalem at his own request, citing the difficulty of the daily commute from Jerusalem to Ashdod, and joined his brother Avitar at the club.[14]

Baruchyan represented Israel at cadet, youth, and Olympic-team levels before stepping up to the senior national side.[1] He was an important member of the under-21 squad that qualified for the 2007 European Championship in the Netherlands, a campaign that included a victory over France in qualifying.[3] At senior level, he earned 10 caps for Israel and scored two international goals.[3]

Baruchyan announced his retirement on April 2, 2021, at age 36, having spent the final year and a half of his playing career with Beitar Nordia Jerusalem in Liga Alef.[5] In his retirement statement, he thanked the game and Beitar's supporters and described the club as a lasting part of his identity.[3] He later said he retired because playing no longer inspired the same enthusiasm, and that he had earned a coaching certificate and was working with children at football academies in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.[5]

In May 2026, Beitar Jerusalem appointed Baruchyan as an assistant coach alongside Moshe Ohayon, working under newly appointed head coach Almog Cohen.[2] The appointment brought him back to the club that had defined much of his playing career.[2]

Baruchyan's legacy is closely tied to Beitar Jerusalem. A graduate of the club's youth academy, he made 201 first-team appearances and contributed to a period that brought Beitar two league championships, two State Cups, and a Toto Cup.[4][3] After retiring, he identified the championships and Beitar's first league-and-cup double as defining achievements of his career.[5] His two goals against Wisła Kraków remain among the most widely remembered performances of his playing years.[3]

Baruchyan's brief period at Polonia Warsaw included a disciplinary dispute. Ynet reported that he requested leave to attend his brother's wedding but instead attended a friend's wedding in Israel, after which Polonia assigned him to train with its youth team.[12]

During his time with Hapoel Katamon, Baruchyan entered a facility for gambling rehabilitation and received support and funding from the club.[3] In 2021, he described recovery from gambling addiction as a daily struggle and said that his experience had enabled him to help other people and families facing similar problems.[5]