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Alexander "Alex" Abraham Zahavi (born 21 January 1991) is a former professional footballer who played as a winger or forward.
Zahavi was born in the United States, the son of a Portuguese mother and Israeli father. He has represented Portugal at youth levels but considered switching federations so he can represent the United States.[1] He is the great nephew of football agent Pini Zahavi. Zahavi is a winger who plays on the left side of midfield, even though he is right-footed.
On 16 July 2010, Zahavi joined Maccabi Haifa on trial trying to impress Elisha Levy. On 26 July he was presented as a Maccabi Haifa player after he signed a contract with the club.
Zahavi joined Israeli Premier League club Hapoel Acre in February 2011 on loan for the remainder of the 2010–11 season.[2]
On 7 July, Maccabi Haifa announced that they extended Zahavi's contract through the 2015 season, and are loaning him to Primeira Liga team Vitória de Setúbal for the 2011–12 season.[3] Zahavi joined Portuguese top-flight side S.C. Olhanense for the 2012–13 season.[4]
Zahavi represented Portugal at various youth levels but was never called into the senior team. Because he played in an official UEFA U17[5] qualifying tournament for Portugal, he was cap tied to their national team under FIFA eligibility rules.[6] However, since he is also eligible to play for Israel or the United States, he was allowed to file for a one-time only switch with FIFA.[7]
Zahavi was called up to the United States U-20's team in November 2010 for the Torneo de las Americas.[8]
On 20 February 2011, Zahavi was called in for his first Israel U-21 camp.[9] Three days later Zahavi played in a friendly with the under-21 side against FC Arsenal Kyiv.[10] In March 2011, Zahavi was brought in for another training camp.[11] On 17 March 2011 Zahavi was named to the under-21 side for a tournament in Austria.[12] Zahavi made his debut for the side in a friendly against Georgia on 23 March 2011.[13] Zahavi scored his first goal for the under-21 side in a friendly against Romania on 26 March 2011 in Austria.[14] Zahavi floated the ball over the Romanian goalkeeper from 35 metres out after exchanging passes with Nes Zamir.[14]