Tomer Hemed

Tomer Hemed is an Israeli striker who joined the club in the summer of 2011 on a free transfer from Maccabi Haifa. He was alerted to the attentions of Mallorca by fellow countryman Dudu Aouate, and was subsequently picked up just before he agreed a move to Scottish champions Rangers.

A product of the Maccabi Haifa youth system, Hemed made his debut for his boyhood club late in the 2006/2007 season. Still very much a member of the youth team, he was called on as a substitute against Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv in March 2006 after his club had already secured the title. In the same season, he netted 10 goals in 21 games for the Maccabi Haifa U19s.

Late on in the following season, Hemed went on loan to Maccabi Herzliya scoring 3 times in 16 games. And for the 2008/2009 season, he went on loan to Bnei Yehuda scoring just once in 28 games. His real development, however, came in the 2009/2010 season when he want on loan at Maccabi Ahi Nazareth – manager by former Aston Villa boss John Gregory.

Under Gregory’s guidance, Hemed matured and developed many parts of his game. Gregory described him as his ‘star striker’. And despite Nazareth finishing bottom of the league, Hemed still managed to score 9 goals in 33 games.

Hemed had done enough to convince Maccabi Haifa that he was worthy of a first team place. And after establishing himself as a first team player at the club, his consistent performances earned him a call up to the Israeli national side. In a behind closed doors friendly against Dynamo Kiev, he made his national debut – scoring in the process. He then made his official national team debut against Latvia, providing an assist for Yossi Benayoun in a 2-1 victory.

Real Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate informed Director of Football Llorenç Serra Ferrer of a young striker who exploded onto the scene in the Israeli league. His contract was to expire in the summer and his style is perfectly adaptable to Spanish football. Serra Ferrer kept an eye on the striker, who finished as the league’s top goalscorer with 15 goals in 22 games. He had done enough.

Serra Ferrer made his move for Hemed, but not before Scottish side Rangers. Hemed and his representative had already held talks with the Glasgow club, but after Mallorca moved in Hemed had a change of heart. The lure of La Liga football proved too much and after a deal was agreed in principal, the striker flew to Palma to undergo a medical and sign on the dotted line.