Israeli Striker Sayed Abu Farkhi Joins Colorado Rapids

COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO (VINnews) — Israeli striker Sayed Abu Farkhi was unveiled Tuesday as the newest forward for Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids, completing a transfer from Maccabi Tel Aviv and becoming the eighth Israeli to play in the league.

Abu Farkhi, 20, signed a contract through the 2029-30 MLS season with a club option for 2030-31. He will join the Rapids as a U-22 initiative player and occupy an international roster slot pending receipt of a P-1 visa.

Israeli media reported that Maccabi Tel Aviv will receive $5.4 million for the move. Abu Farkhi will initially earn $450,000 a season — the MLS maximum for players under 22 — with a raise expected after two years. As part of the deal, the striker, who had a clause entitling him to 17.5% of any transfer fee, agreed to forgo about $500,000 to secure his release.

“We’re very happy to bring Sayed to the club,” Rapids coach Matt Wells said. “Despite his young age, he has already competed at very high levels and gained experience in big games and important moments. His profile as a player is exactly what we are looking for in our attacking players. He fits exactly the model of players we want to sign — young and hungry players who want to achieve big things in soccer.”

Club President Pádraig Smith said Abu Farkhi was in demand from several clubs. “He’s an exceptional player with a winning mentality,” Smith said. “His goal-scoring prowess paired with his outstanding work rate against the ball is something that instantly drew us in.”

Abu Farkhi, born May 11, 2006, in Baqa al-Gharbiyye, came through Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth system and had loan spells at Kafr Qasim and Maccabi Bnei Reineh before establishing himself with the first team. He scored five goals in eight appearances at the start of this season and finished his Maccabi tenure with 16 goals in 54 appearances. Last season he scored 11 times in 42 matches.

He helped Maccabi win the State Cup in 2025-26 and the Israeli Super Cup in 2024-25 and 2026-27, scoring twice in this summer’s Super Cup final against Hapoel Be’er Sheva. He has also featured in European qualifying and made his senior Israel debut in June in a friendly against Albania.

Maccabi Tel Aviv thanked Abu Farkhi for his “dedication, professionalism and contribution” and wished him luck in the next chapter of his career.

Abu Farkhi joins Tai Baribo, Liel Abada, Idan Toklomati, Dor Turgeman, Ilay Feingold, Ran Binyamin and Or Blorian as Israelis currently in MLS.