BEN HAIM SIGNS twitter facebook email print PUBLISHED 11:55 4th January 2013 by @OfficialQPR Israeli international pens short-term contract Talâs a great professional with vast experience and Iâm confident heâll be a really useful addition to the squad." Harry Redknapp HARRY Redknapp has added Tal Ben Haim to his squad ahead of Saturdayâs FA Cup third round tie against West Bromwich Albion. The Israeli international defender has signed a short-term contract until the end of the season and is eligible to make his debut when the Baggies come to Loftus Road tomorrow. A free agent, Ben Haim has been training with Rangers for the last six weeks and Redknapp believes his experience and professionalism will aid the Râs squad in the second half of the season. âTalâs a great professional with vast experience and Iâm confident heâll be a really useful addition to the squad,â Redknapp told www.qpr.co.uk. âHis attitude is first class and the fact he can play anywhere across the back four is obviously a big bonus for us. âHe just wants to play. Heâs not here for the money or anything like that. He just wants to come in and do his best for the club.â Ben Haim has been handed the number 21 shirt.
TAL BEN HAIM began his career with Maccabi Tel Aviv, becoming a reserve player at the age of 16 before going on to become a regular in their first team. Maccabi won the Israeli Premier League in 2003, with Ben Haim playing a pivotal role in that success. His influence and importance to the team was demonstrated the following season when he was awarded the captainâs armband, aged just 21. After a further campaign with Tel Aviv, Ben Haimâs talents attracted the interest of Premier League outfit Bolton Wanderers and then-Trotters boss Sam Allardyce secured the services of the tough-tackling centre-back on a three-year deal in the summer of 2004. Ben Haimâs no-nonsense approach quickly made him a popular figure at the Reebok Stadium and his leadership skills once again came to the fore, with him captaining the side in the absence of regular skipper Jay-Jay Okocha. After three successful years with Bolton, Ben Haim signed for Chelsea on a free transfer in 2007. However, following the departure of Jose Mourinho and subsequent arrival at the club of Avram Grant, Ben Haimâs first-team opportunities proved limited. After a year with Chelsea, the Israeli joined Manchester City where he stayed for two years. Following a brief loan spell at Sunderland, and keen to play regularly, Ben Haim left the Etihad Stadium for Portsmouthâs Fratton Park prior to the start of the 2009/10 season. In his first campaign on the south-coast, Ben Haim made 24 appearances in all competitions but his efforts could not save Pompey from relegation. Ben Haim spent the first half of the 2010/11 season on loan at West Ham before returning to Fratton Park in January 2011. After leaving the club last August, he has been training with the Râs for several weeks under Harry Redknapp. Ben Haim has made more than 60 appearances for his country and will wear the number 21 shirt for Rangers. http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/040113-tal-ben-haim-in-profile-577781.aspx
This is the type of signings we were asking for prior to the Chelsea game. Not so sure it will please the masses after the win on Wednesday. I didn't want us to break the bank before our win and it hasn't changed yet. A win against Spurs on the other hand...
He's missed a couple of years largely through the pay dispute with Pompey. Still only 30 though... so we'll see.
Always thought he was quite a good player. If anyone thinks we'll be signing the likes of Lescott, they are in for a shock imo!
Good solid signing in our position. Versatile and tough, not a marquee signing but makes financial sense. If Harry rates him, that is good enough for me.
The only mystery is why HR waited so long to give him a contract. Experienced PL defender, desperately needed in our squad.
I wouldn't be excited about this signing even if we were languishing in League 1. Accident prone and slow. Not what we need.
It seems the general feeling of signing Ben Haim is one of disappointment. A bit similar to the announcement of Nelsens arrival. Let's hope we're pleasantly surprised again.
What i've seen of him its all negative. IMO he was the worst player in his team when he was in chelsea and when he was in city. Then again i believe arry knows better than i do........
Here's an update to the story we brought you earlier, with experienced and versatile defender Tal Ben Haim being handed a deal with QPR until the end of the season. Harry Redknapp said: "He just wants to play. He's not here for the money or anything like that. He just wants to come in and do his best for the club."
