After only 2 months in Europe, the Israeli U21 international unexpectedly joins Hanoi FC.

Hanoi FC has officially signed Yuval Sade, an Israeli midfielder who spent a short time at CFR Cluj before making an unexpected switch to the V.League 2026.

Hanoi FC officially announced Hanoi FC officially announced that Yuval Sade is their next new signing ahead of the 2026/27 season, but what makes this transfer noteworthy goes beyond the Israeli midfielder's profile. Only about two months before arriving in Vietnam, Sade had just begun his first overseas career journey at CFR Cluj.

The player born in 2000 spent most of his career at Maccabi Netanya. At the end of January, CFR Cluj reached an agreement to bring Sade to Romania after the season in Israel ended. He continued to play for Maccabi Netanya for the remainder of the season, before posting a heartfelt farewell letter to the club on May 14, ending a 7-year association.

In a personal Facebook post, Sade sent an emotional message to his former club: "I am starting a new journey with great excitement, but a part of me will always carry the colors of yellow and black."

It was not until June 15 that Sade actually arrived in Cluj to start training with the Romanian club. CFR at that time welcomed the Israeli midfielder as one of their new faces for the season, following a deal that had been prepared since the winter transfer window.

However, Sade's European adventure ended sooner than expected. According to Romanian outlet Digi Sport, the 26-year-old midfielder was not used in any official match for CFR Cluj. He only appeared on the matchday squad once, in the game against Voluntari, but remained on the bench for the entire match. By early August, rumors that Sade might leave CFR emerged when he had only been at the club for about two months.

On August 10, Digi Sport confirmed that Sade had ended his time at CFR Cluj and was preparing to move to Hanoi FC. The Israeli player and his agent directly traveled to Hanoi to check out the training conditions. According to this source, the conversation with coach Harry Kewell also played a significant role in Sade's decision.

On the morning of August 13, Hanoi FC officially announced the deal. The capital club introduced Sade as a defensive midfielder standing 1.83 m tall, who previously played for Israel's U19 and U21 teams.

The period of less than two months at CFR Cluj thus becomes the most notable detail in this new signing's journey. Sade went to Romania hoping to open a new chapter in Europe but left without having played a single official minute.

For Hanoi FC, Sade provides an additional option for the midfield area. As for the 26-year-old midfielder, the V.League becomes his next starting point after his brief detour in Romania. How he adapts and regains his rhythm after a turbulent summer will be something to watch.