01In brief
Idan Cohen (born 6 January 1996) is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a right back. A product of Hapoel Tel Aviv's youth academy, he was described ahead of the 2018/19 season as one of the National League's best and most consistent defenders before moving up with the club to the Premier League. His career has included several Israeli clubs and a spell with Hartford in the USL, and in June 2026 he signed a one-season contract with Hapoel Jerusalem.
02Early Life and Youth Career
03Career
Cohen's early senior career included Hapoel Tel Aviv's time in the National League. Ahead of the 2018/19 season, a Walla Sports ranking described the academy product as “one of the best and most consistent defenders” in the division. When Hapoel Tel Aviv earned promotion, Cohen moved up with the club to the Premier League for the first time in his career.[2]
In September 2020, at age 24, Cohen parted ways with Hapoel Tel Aviv and joined Hartford in the USL in the United States.[1] He later returned to Israel and played for Hapoel Ramat Gan before Maccabi Petah Tikva signed him in July 2022 following an injury to Tomer Levy.[3]
In later seasons, Cohen played for Hapoel Rishon LeZion and other National League sides before joining Hapoel Nir Ramat Hasharon.[4] In February 2025, he signed for Hapoel Petah Tikva, saying: “I'm happy and excited to sign for a big club like Hapoel Petah Tikva. I'm looking forward to meeting the squad and the fans and giving everything to achieve the goal and get promoted.”[4]
During the 2025/26 season with Hapoel Petah Tikva, Cohen registered two assists and received four yellow cards.[5] In a 3–1 loss to Beitar Jerusalem, he handled an Omer Atzili shot on the goal line. VAR brought the incident to the referee's attention, a penalty was awarded, and Cohen received a yellow card.[6] Atzili converted the penalty, and seven minutes later Cohen scored an own goal from a corner.[6] In January 2026, he sustained a knee injury in the match. The club's medical staff initially feared a serious setback but later expected him to miss about two weeks.[7]
Cohen also contributed to Hapoel Petah Tikva's stronger results. In September 2025, he helped set up both first-half goals in a 3–1 win over Maccabi Netanya, including what the match report called “the perfect ball into the area” for the opening goal in the 22nd minute.[8]
After two years at Hapoel Petah Tikva, Cohen signed a one-season contract with Hapoel Jerusalem on 11 June 2026, joining the squad being rebuilt by coach Lior Zada.[1]
04Controversies
In June 2023, Maariv reported that a Maccabi Petah Tikva player named Idan Cohen had petitioned against the Israel Defense Forces after it declined to recognize him as an active athlete. The report does not provide a birth date, so it does not conclusively establish that the petitioner was the right back profiled here.[9]
It relayed the petitioner's claim that he and his family had made exceptional mental, physical, social, and financial efforts over many years. It said he sought a fair, non-discriminatory review of his candidacy and sporting achievements, and it did not state a court outcome.[9]
Sources
- 1Walla! Sport, Walla Sports, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 2Walla! Sport, Walla! Sport's Premier League player rankings: places 201–311, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 3Ynet, Abuhatzira will continue at Ahi Nazareth, Cohen signed with Maccabi Petah Tikva, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 4Maariv, Hapoel Be'er Sheva signed Siman Tov, Avishai Cohen rejected again: the window closed, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 5Walla! Sport, Hapoel Petah Tikva stats, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 6Ynet, And in first place: Beitar Jerusalem defeated Hapoel Petah Tikva, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 7Walla! Sport, Injured Idan Cohen to miss the match against Hapoel Jerusalem, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 8The Jerusalem Post, Hapoel Tel Aviv beats Beitar Jerusalem in premier league, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 9Maariv, accessed on September 26, 2026.
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
Who is Idan Cohen the footballer?
Idan Cohen (born 6 January 1996) is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a right back. A product of Hapoel Tel Aviv's youth academy, he was described ahead of the 2018/19 season as one of the National League's best and most consistent defenders. His career has spanned several Israeli clubs as well as a spell with Hartford in the USL in the United States.
How did Idan Cohen's time at Hapoel Tel Aviv lead him to the Premier League?
Idan Cohen came through Hapoel Tel Aviv's youth system and established himself as one of the National League's standout defenders. When Hapoel Tel Aviv earned promotion, Cohen moved up with the club to the Premier League for the first time in his career.
Why did Maccabi Petah Tikva sign Idan Cohen in July 2022?
Maccabi Petah Tikva signed Idan Cohen in July 2022 following an injury to Tomer Levy. Cohen had previously returned to Israel after his spell with Hartford in the USL and had played for Hapoel Ramat Gan before joining Maccabi Petah Tikva.
What happened to Idan Cohen during the 3–1 loss to Beitar Jerusalem in the 2025/26 season?
During the 3–1 loss to Beitar Jerusalem, Cohen handled an Omer Atzili shot on the goal line. VAR brought the incident to the referee's attention, a penalty was awarded, and Cohen received a yellow card. Atzili converted the penalty, and seven minutes later Cohen scored an own goal from a corner.
What club did Idan Cohen sign with in June 2026, and under what circumstances?
Idan Cohen signed a one-season contract with Hapoel Jerusalem on 11 June 2026, joining a squad being rebuilt by coach Lior Zada.
What legal dispute was Idan Cohen reportedly linked to in June 2023?
In June 2023, Maariv reported that a Maccabi Petah Tikva player named Idan Cohen had petitioned against the Israel Defense Forces after it declined to recognize him as an active athlete. The petitioner claimed that he and his family had made exceptional mental, physical, social, and financial efforts over many years, and he sought a fair, non-discriminatory review of his candidacy and sporting achievements. The report does not provide a birth date, so it does not conclusively establish that the petitioner was the right back profiled here.