Hapoel Holon has been busy this offseason by naming a new coach, re-upping with their captain and bringing on board one of the most talented Israelis as they ready for the 2025-26 campaign.

First off, the purples inked Danny Franco to a 1 + 1 deal to take over the coaching reins at the Toto Arena. Franco, who led Holon to their first ever Israel State Cup victory during the 2008/09 season, has been the lead man at Hapoel Jerusalem where he guided the Reds to their first league title, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa, Netanya and Nahariya since then.

“I am excited to return to the Hapoel Holon family and lead the team in the upcoming season,” Franco said. “Hapoel Holon is a club with a rich tradition, a clear vision and a place at the top of Israeli basketball. The team’s management, the professional team and I will work hard together to bring Hapoel Holon to the highest achievements, as happened in the past, when we brought the first State Cup together for the team.”

Club Chairman Eitan Lanciano added, “I would like to congratulate Danny Franco on his return to the purples for a new chapter with new beginnings. He is a first-class coach with proven experience and achievements who has led us to the State Cup in the past and has done great things in Israeli basketball. Good luck Danny.”

Holon also signed their captain Netanel Artzi to a 3-year contract as the forward has fit the club like a glove since his arrival a few years ago. Artzi is highly regarded by the team and is well-loved by the purple fans and the club saw great importance in signing him to a long-term contract at the beginning of building the team’s new roster for the upcoming season.

“I am more than happy to continue for another three years at the club that has become my home,” Artzi said. “I have become very attached to this place and to the crowd that I love so much. I want to thank the management for believing in me and making this happen. For my part, I will do everything to make the team successful and the purple fans happy and proud of us.”

Lanciano commented on Artzi’s signing, “I am happy about signing our captain for three years. We made a great effort to sign him to a long-term contract because we see Netanel Artzi as an important factor in building the team for the new season as he provides a great contribution both on the professional side and in things beyond basketball. Fortunately, this was also his wish, so this is the place to wish the captain and the team good luck together.”

Holon also inked Lior Carreira to a one year deal after having played for Hapoel Galil Elyon last season. The 27-year old forward stands at 1.96m and arguably had the best two seasons of his career in the Galilee as in which he averaged 11.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the 23/24 season and 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the 24/25 season.
Before arriving at Galil, Carrera played for three seasons at Nes Ziona and before that he was with Maccabi Raanana where he honed his skills as a youth player.

After the signing, Carreira said, “I am happy and excited to join Hapoel Holon, a great club with history, an amazing crowd and a huge heart. I am fulfilling a dream to play for the team and I promise that we will work hard and are committed to meet all of our goals this year.”

“I am very happy about Lior Carreira joining the team,” Head Coach Danny Franco said. “Lior is an experienced player and a true fighter on the court who has a winning mentality and excellent technique. What sets Lior apart is the combination of natural leadership and game intelligence. Lior is a player with good shooting ability and one who raises the level of play of the entire team around him. I am sure that Lior will be a key part of the team’s success this season.”