Taleb Tawatha (or Twatha, , ; born ) is a former Israeli professional footballer who plays as a left-back. He's now a Free Agent
Tawatha started his career at Maccabi Haifa, where he won Israeli Premier League title in 2011 and the Israel State Cup in 2016. He became an integral part of the club's defence, making 204 appearances over the course of seven seasons. In July 2016, Tawatha signed for German club Eintracht Frankfurt of the Bundesliga for a transfer fee of €1.5 million, and was part of the team that won the DFB-Pokal in 2018. In August 2019, he was released and two weeks later signed as a free agent with Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad.
A youth international for Israel from under-16 to under-21 level, Tawatha made his senior debut in 2011.
He also holds a Sudanese citizenship.
Early life Tawatha was born in Jisr az-Zarqa, Israel, to an Arab-Muslim family of Sudanese and Bedouin descent.
Career Maccabi Haifa Tawatha trained in the youth teams of Maccabi Haifa. In 2009 he made his debut appearance in the senior team. His break-through season was 2010/2011 in which he helped Maccabi Haifa to win the Israeli Premier League championship, scored one goal and assisted five from his position as a left defender. Tawatha won the "Young Discovery Award" and was included in the MVP team of the season. In 2016 he won the Israeli State Cup with Maccabi Haifa.
Eintracht Frankfurt In July 2016, Tawatha was signed by German club Eintracht Frankfurt for a transfer fee of 1.5 million Euros. On 19 May 2018, he won the DFB-Pokal with Eintracht Frankfurt after they defeated Bayern Munich 3–1 in the final.
Ludogorets Razgrad On 11 September 2019, Tawatha joined Bulgarian First League side Ludogorets Razgrad as a free agent.
Maccabi Haifa (Second Stint) On October 18, 2020, Tawatha rejoined Maccabi Haifa for a €100,000 transfer fee. In two seasons with the club, he served as mostly as a reserve, only having 18 total appearances without scoring a goal or an assist.
Bnei Sakhnin On July 3, 2022, Tawatha signed with Bnei Sakhnin on a free transfer. Tawatha made 19 total appearances, registering two assists. On November 20, 2024, Tawatha announced his retirement.
Coaching career
S.C. Kafr Qasim On July 1, 2025 Tawatha was named an assistant manager for Liga Leumit side S.C. Kafr Qasim. On October 13, Tawatha was promoted to head coach follow former Head Coach Adham Hadia's move to Maccabi Bnei Reineh F.C.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMaccabi Haifa 2009–10Israeli Premier League300010701102010–111813000602712011–1228140121304722012–132122100202532013–1426000110003702014–153010000003012015–16270400000270Total1535911511802047Eintracht Frankfurt2016–17Bundesliga1405200001922017–181302000001502018–193000300060Total300723000402Ludogorets Razgrad 2019–20Bulgarian First Professional League60100000702020–211000001020Total7010001090Maccabi Haifa2020–21Israeli Premier League1501000101602021–223000103070Total180101040230Bnei Sakhnin 2022–23Israeli Premier League0000000000Career total20851831912302769
International Scores and results list Israel's goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 15 November 2018 Netanya Stadium, Netanya, Israel 2–0 7–0 Friendly
Honours Maccabi Haifa Israeli Premier League: 2010–11, 2020–21, 2021–22 Israel State Cup: 2015–16 Toto Cup: 2021–22 Israel Super Cup: 2021
Eintracht Frankfurt DFB-Pokal: 2017–18; runner-up: 2016–17
Ludogorets Razgrad Bulgarian First League: 2019–20
References
External links
Taleb Tawatha at Maccabi Haifa Profile Taleb Tawatha at IFA National Profile