Raz Shlomo

Shlomo grew up in Ashkelon and began playing football at the age of five.[3] At 13, after passing trials, he joined Hapoel Tel Aviv’s under-14 team. He initially played as a defensive midfielder before gradually being converted to centre-back.[3]

He represented Israel at youth level and at times captained Israel’s youth team under Alon Hazan.[3] His youth career also produced an episode that reflected his view of team recognition: after Hapoel Tel Aviv’s youth team won the national cup final, staff invited him to lift the trophy because it was his final youth-team match. Shlomo declined, saying the recognition belonged to season-long captain Shai Eisen; he also turned down a suggestion that they lift it together.[3]

Shlomo made his Hapoel Tel Aviv first-team debut in the 2016/17 season, in a defeat to Ironi Kiryat Shmona while Guy Luzon was the coach.[3] He played more regularly the following season, including during the club’s time in the second division, while also appearing for the youth team. By the season before a 2019 profile, he had become a regular member of the senior squad and made 24 appearances, mostly as a starter.[3]

He moved to Maccabi Netanya on loan for the 2021/22 season and joined permanently at its conclusion.[2] A 2021 league preview listed him among Netanya’s defenders as the club targeted a place in the Championship Playoffs and a European qualification spot.[8]

In summer 2023, Shlomo joined Belgian club OH Leuven from Netanya.[6] He made his Leuven debut on 7 October against Cercle Brugge and scored with a header four minutes into the match. He did not celebrate, instead signaling a heart toward the stands, and struggled to hold back tears.[6] A report later that month also noted his emotional reaction after scoring for Leuven, in coverage of the impact of the attacks on Israel’s sports community.[7]

At Leuven, Shlomo’s role expanded beyond centre-back to include defensive midfield. He started three matches in that position and two as a centre-back in a three-man defense.[9] He completed 19 of 22 passes in one match as a defensive midfielder. The analysis also reported that he completed 87 percent of his passes in the preceding Israeli league season and that about 38 percent of his Leuven passes went into the opponent’s half. It listed his height as 1.88 metres.[9]

Maccabi Tel Aviv signed Shlomo from Leuven in February 2024 on a three-and-a-half-year contract, with an option for an additional year. He wore number 13 and described joining the club as a childhood dream.[10] A 2024/25 season preview listed him among Maccabi’s defenders, alongside Roy Revivo, Idan Nachmias and Nir Bitton; the club entered that season as defending Israeli champion and the only Israeli team then playing in European competition.[11]

In August 2025, Shlomo set up Maccabi’s opening goal against Hamrun Spartans with a through ball to Ido Shachar. Maccabi won 3–1 and progressed to the Europa League playoff round with a 5–2 aggregate victory.[12] His listed league figures for 2024/25 were 19 starts, four substitute appearances, one goal and one assist. For 2025/26, they were 19 starts, five substitute appearances, one goal and one assist.[1]

Shlomo made his senior Israel debut during his time at Maccabi Netanya.[10] In February 2024, he was credited with 10 senior international appearances and one goal.[2]

In a Euro 2024 qualifying match against Andorra in Jerusalem, Shlomo started at centre-back and scored Israel’s opening goal with a long-range shot. Israel won 2–1 after Andorra equalized and Manor Solomon scored the winner.[4][13] The goal stood out as a strike from about 25 metres, but the reports differ on its timing: The Times of Israel placed it in the 41st minute, while The Jerusalem Post said it came in the 43rd.[4][13] The accounts also describe a defensive error involving Shlomo in Andorra’s equalizer; The Times of Israel specifies that his pass toward goalkeeper Omri Glazer was intercepted by Albert Rosas.[13]

Shlomo scored for Israel in a June 2024 friendly against Belarus, helping the team to a 4–0 win in Budapest. It was coach Ran Ben Shimon’s first victory with the team.[5] In November 2024, Shlomo was part of the Israel side that beat Belgium 1–0 in the Nations League; Yarden Shua scored the winning goal in the 85th minute.[14]

In November 2025, Ben Shimon said Shlomo was returning to the squad after missing the previous international window. The coach said Shlomo had been part of the national team for about a year and a half.[15]

Reports on Shlomo’s Leuven playing record around his February 2024 return to Israel give different totals. Ynet reported eight Leuven matches and one Belgian-league goal, while Sport5 described eight appearances during his six-month stint.[2][9] ONE reported 11 appearances and two goals across all competitions; elsewhere in the same article, it counted 10 Leuven games that season, two goals and 756 minutes.[16] The available accounts do not resolve the discrepancy, and the figures may reflect different counting scopes.

The reported financial terms of his move to Maccabi Tel Aviv also vary. Walla reported a fee of about €1.2 million including bonuses and wages of about €325,000 per season.[10] Ynet reported €1.1 million plus 20 percent of a future sale and €300,000 per season.[2] ONE reported a €1.2 million fee and wages of about €330,000 per season.[16] These are the figures reported by the respective outlets.