Dudu Aouate

David ‘Dudu’ Aouate is an Israeli goalkeeper who joined the Islanders in January 2009 for £700,000 following an injury to first choice goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya. Since the departure of Moya in the summer of 2009, Aouate has established himself as the number one goalkeeper at the club ahead of Argentinean German Dario Lux.

It was the 98-99 season with Hapoel Haifa which gave Aouate his break. With the first choice goalkeeper out, Aouate deputised. His performances were impressive. Not only did it help him keep his goalkeeping rival out of the team as he claimed the number one jersey, it also gave him his international break. He has since become integral to the national side.

Aouate moved to Europe in 2003 after a 2 year stint with Israeli side Maccabi Haifa joining Racing Santander. But he had to play second fiddle to former Manchester United goalkeeper Ricardo in his first season before gaining the number one jersey in his second. Aouate was then involved in a complicated swap deal that took him to Deportivo la Coruna in 2006.

He didn’t disappoint either. In his first season he played all 38 league games churning out performances that resulted in him being voted 8th player of the season. His second season didn’t go quite so smoothly though. After losing his first team place to Munua, the two were involved in a post-training punch up that saw both of them suspended.

The Israeli’s first full season at the Islanders has seen him one of the most consistent performers which in turn has meant interest from clubs including Birmingham City. He has regularly spoke of his interest to remain on the island for the rest of his career though, and signed a two-year contract extension to remain at the club until the summer of 2013.