20-year-old joins New England under MLS U22 Initiative after two seasons with Maccabi Haifa
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have announced the acquisition of Israel international defender Ilay Feingold (pronounced EE-lie FINE-gold) from Maccabi Haifa for an undisclosed fee. Feingold joins the Revolution under Major League Soccer’s U22 Initiative and has signed a three-year contract through the 2027 MLS season, with a club option for 2028.
Transaction Details:
- Acquired D Ilay Feingold from Maccabi Haifa for an undisclosed fee.
- Signed through MLS U22 Initiative to a three-year contract, with a club option for 2028.
Feingold, 20, arrives in New England after spending his first two professional seasons with Maccabi Haifa in Israel. During his tenure, he accumulated 48 appearances across all competitions, including games in both the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League. This season, Feingold has made 16 appearances in the Israeli Premier League, starting 12 times. In his debut season, he played in 16 matches, helping Maccabi Haifa secure a second-place finish in the league.
“We are excited to welcome Ilay Feingold to the New England Revolution,” said Sporting Director Curt Onalfo. “Ilay is a talented, well-rounded young defender who is technically gifted, tactically sound, and tough. With his top-flight domestic and national team experience, we expect Ilay to assimilate well to MLS.”
On the international stage, Feingold has already made his debut for the Israel Men’s National Team, earning his first two caps during UEFA Nations League A action this past October. He started consecutive away matches against France and Italy, playing the full 90 minutes in both. Feingold was also a member of the Israel Olympic Team, starting all three group stage matches.
Feingold has previously featured over 30 times for Israel at the youth international level, including 21 caps and a second-place finish at the 2022 UEFA Under-19 European Championships. He was also part of Israel’s third-place squad at the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, starting all seven matches and providing a game-tying assist in the quarterfinals against Brazil.
“We are pleased to add another top-quality U22 signing to our roster in Ilay Feingold. Ilay is a true competitor and has proven from a young age that he is ripe for success,” said Revolution Head Coach Caleb Porter. “He is an athletically gifted defender who has shown an ability to defend 1-v-1, while also providing effective buildup play and service in the attacking third. These characteristics fit our right back profile and have led to him earning top-flight and senior international experience at just 20 years old. I am eager to work with Ilay and excited to see his continued development here in New England.”
Born in Netanya, Israel, Feingold holds dual citizenship in Israel and Romania. He developed for eight years with his hometown club, Maccabi Netanya, and after a brief spell in the Hapoel Ra’anana academy, joined the Maccabi Haifa youth ranks in 2020.
