Southampton FC have signed Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz on loan from Bayern Munich making the new Saints recruit one of the only Jewish people playing top-level football in England.
Peretz, who has previously played for Maccabi Tel Aviv, joins the Saints for the remainder of the 2025/26 season after making seven appearances in two seasons at Bayern, serving as the club’s second-choice goalkeeper behind Manuel Neuer.
The 25-year-old has made ten appearances for the Israeli national team, and made his debut in the UEFA Champions League for Bayern in 2024.
His arrival makes him one of only a handful of Jews or Israelis playing at the top level in England. Midfielder Finn Azaz Southampton, who is of Irish-Israeli heritage, also plays for Southampton, though represents the Republic of Ireland on the international stage.
Luton’s left-back Joe Johnson, who plays for Luton in League 1, is also Jewish.
Peretz grew up in Tel Aviv, and was recruited for the Maccabi Tel Aviv academy at the age of six.
His maternal cousins are professional footballers Dan, Tamir, and Amit Glazer; Dan is also an established figure in the national team setup.
Peretz has been in a relationship with Israeli singer-songwriter Noa Kirel – who represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023, coming third – since 2023, with the couple tying the knot in November.
“I’m really happy to make this move to Southampton, it’s a great club in a good league and I’m really looking forward to getting started,” he said.
“I want to help the team to get back in the Premier League. Although it’s a tough goal, I think it’s realistic. There are a lot of games to go.”
Southampton’s group technical director Johannes Spors said: “Daniel arrives with proven ability both domestically and internationally.
“He has played at the highest level and we’re delighted to welcome him here where he adds further quality and depth to our goalkeeping department.”
Peretz spent the first half of the season at Hamburg, although hardly featured for the side.
Prior to Bayern Munich, he spent four seasons at Maccabi Tel Aviv, and one on loan at Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam, before the Bavarians spent over €5 million (£4.3m) on him.
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