Eden Kartsev

Kartsev was born in Afula to parents who had immigrated from Belarus. Accounts differ on when they arrived: a Ynet profile says they immigrated in 1990, while a 2022 Sport5 interview says they came to Israel when Kartsev was four.[1][7] Sport5 also described financial difficulties at home and quoted Kartsev recalling that his parents worked two jobs to support him and his football development.[7]

He joined Asi Gilboa at age four, moved to Maccabi Netanya at 11 and joined Maccabi Tel Aviv at 13, according to the Ynet profile.[1] Kartsev was accepted after a trial at Mainz but did not move to Germany; the profile cited his lack of a European passport, difficult family circumstances and his own unreadiness to relocate abroad.[1]

Kartsev’s early senior clubs included Beitar Tel Aviv/Ramla, Hapoel Hadera and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona.[8] In 2019, Hadera planned to give him playing time in Israel’s Premier League, and Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Vladimir Ivic ultimately agreed that a loan was the best option. A report from that period also recalled Kartsev impressing in a Maccabi youth tournament with a long-range goal.[9]

During the 2020–21 season, Kartsev scored for Maccabi Tel Aviv against Red Bull Salzburg and Maccabi Petah Tikva and was part of teams that won the Champions of Champions, Toto Cup and State Cup.[2] Reports gave different totals for his Maccabi appearances: Ynet counted 25 before his move to Maccabi Netanya in summer 2021, while Mako reported 27 across all competitions.[5][2] His move to Netanya formed part of the Gabi Kanichowsky deal.[5]

At Maccabi Netanya, Kartsev returned from a serious ankle injury in January 2022 and helped the club’s push for fourth place, which secured European qualification. The club’s professional staff named him Player of the Season, ahead of teammates including Patrick Twumasi, Parfait Guiagon and Igor Zlatanović. Kartsev said Netanya gave him confidence and allowed him to play in his preferred midfield role.[7] In March 2022, he scored Netanya’s opening goal against Ironi Kiryat Shmona with a shot from about 25 metres.[10]

Kartsev recalled that his first match for Netanya ended when he broke his leg in the 95th minute. He said he was out for four months, returned with a screw in his ankle and then experienced the best period of his career.[11] A planned move to Dynamo Moscow in 2022 fell through: Kartsev said he had signed and begun training in Russia, but money could not be transferred from Russia to Europe during the war. Netanya was unwilling to wait, so he returned to Israel.[11]

In January 2023, Kartsev joined İstanbul Başakşehir. Reports put the transfer fee at either €2.3 million or €2.5 million.[5][8] Ynet reported that he made 17 appearances for the Turkish club and had a lengthy injury absence.[5]

Kartsev represented Israel at the 2023 European Under-21 Championship and had made five senior national-team appearances by January 2024.[2][3] He was sent off against Germany during the under-21 tournament after receiving a second yellow card.[3]

In the quarterfinal against Georgia on July 1, Kartsev started, received a yellow card in the 51st minute and was immediately substituted. Israel advanced after a 0–0 draw and a 4–3 win on penalties; the booking ruled Kartsev out of the semifinal.[3][12]

Kartsev later joined Shenzhen Peng City on loan from Başakşehir. In June 2025, Shenzhen exercised its purchase option for €1 million, making the move permanent from July 1. Sport5 reported that by then he had made 45 appearances for Maccabi Tel Aviv and five for Israel.[6]

A 2026 report continued to identify Kartsev as a Shenzhen Peng City player. It said he played the full 90 minutes in a 3–1 loss to Dalian Yingbo, after which Shenzhen stood 12th in the league, seven points above the relegation line.[13]

In January 2024, on the 100th day of the hostages’ captivity, Kartsev reposted an image expressing solidarity with those held by Hamas and carrying the hashtag #BringThemHomeNow. İstanbul Başakşehir announced an investigation, saying he had violated the sensitivities of the country and could face disciplinary action. Istanbul police questioned Kartsev over the post, and he was released after giving a statement.[4]

Mako reported that the club had asked Kartsev to remove the post and that he was told not to leave the training ground before being informed of his release. Manager Çağdaş Atan said the club had asked him not to share material on the subject, while adding that he understood Kartsev was trying to act for his country and family.[2] Kartsev returned to Maccabi Tel Aviv on loan with a purchase option, and Ynet reported that Başakşehir imposed a disciplinary fine.[5]