Daniel Peretz has made massive waves in global soccer community after a surprising move from Maccabi Tel Aviv to Bayern Munich, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. The 23-year old goalkeeper is the first Israeli to ever sign with the Bavarian outfit and who had eyes on him for quite some time pouncing on the opportunity to bring the Sabra in with first choice keeper, veteran star Manuel Neuer rehabilitating after an injury.

After a short negotiation period a deal was struck as Peretz along with close family members as well as his girlfriend and Israeli singing sensation Noa Kirel, arrived in Munich immediately after the keeper tended goal for Maccabi in their 4-1 win over Celje in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League playoff round tie at Bloomfield Stadium.

Following a physical examination at Bayern, a five year deal was announced by the German club as he took part in his first training session the next day and was then unveiled at the team’s home opener in front of over 70,000 fans at Allianz Arena.

For Peretz, the move to Bayern is a dream come true.

“It’s a dream for every child to one day get to play for a club as big as Bayern. When I heard about Bayern’s interest, I only had one wish: to move here. I’m hungry for everything that’s to come. I feel like I am living my dream and that I am achieving the dreams that I had when I started playing football. I’m so glad to join this amazing club and I’m just looking forward to start. I had no second thoughts. That was the only option for me, to go to Bayern. I’m so happy and glad to be here.”

Having grown up in the yellow-and-blue youth system from the age of six, Peretz always showed confidence and poise as he moved up the ranks year by year before playing for Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam in the Leumit League back in 2019/20. After a campaign in the second division, the shot stopper rejoined Maccabi Tel Aviv where he made his senior team debut in August 2021 and had been the starting keeper until his unprecedented move to Bayern.

Instead of training at Kiryat Shalom under head coach Robbie Keane, Peretz will now be at Sabener Strasse with Thomas Tuchel looking on.

“His age is perfect for us and is part of our future plans in goal,” Bayern’s bench boss said. “He’ll be able to train with his role model Manuel Neuer and learn from him. He has special features and qualities of a modern goalkeeper, he is brave, active, he has a good strong kick and a good body opening and he knows how to keep a good distance from the defensive line, which is why we went for him.”

Peretz helped Maccabi reach the UEFA Conference League playoff round where they ultimately fell to PSV Einhoven in 2022 while now he will be able to play for the Germans in the Champions League.

This past summer, Peretz was a key factor in the Israel Under-21 team’s success at the European Championships as they not only advanced to the semifinals of the tournament but also punched their ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games where the country will be a part of the soccer competition for the first time since the 1976 Games in Montreal.

At the U21 Euros, Peretz made a pair of stunning penalty saves against Germany which helped the blue-and-white take a point in a 1-1 draw with Die Mannschaft that really made the young keeper’s mark on the continental stage.

Now, Peretz will be learning from the top of the top in world class keeper Manuel Neuer and others, “I’m really looking forward to working with Sven Ulreich and Manuel Neuer, also with Michael Rechner. We’ll push each other. Manuel is my role model. I met him yesterday, which was a great experience. I want to show myself and learn a lot.”

Peretz was slated to be the Maccabi keeper of the future, but instead, Bayern came swooping in to snatch up the Israeli and send him on an entirely different path than many were expecting less than a year ago or even perhaps before the summer even began.

“I was obviously very happy when I learned of the interest from FC Bayern. I’ve been a fan of this club since I was little. The coach is very warm and treats the players like sons, I feel very welcome. When he phoned, we spoke about myself and my situation,” Peretz explained.

The Bayern brass is thrilled to have been able to bring in a young talent like Peretz who is also the club’s first Israeli.

With Daniel Peretz, we’re very well equipped in our goalkeeping team in terms of prospects – both for this season and the future,” Jan Christian Dressen, Bayern’s CEO said.

“Daniel is a goalkeeper with great potential. In his young years he’s already proven his ability not just at domestic level but also in international competitions. Daniel is also the first Israeli to play for FC Bayern. That pleases us, also in light of our history. On the other hand, though, background, gender or religion play no role for us – we’re a cosmopolitan club and most of all we want one thing: to play winning football.”

Along with being the first Israeli to join Bayern Munich, Peretz decided to wear number 18 on his jersey as he explained the significance, “I chose 18 as it is popular number in Israel due to its significance to life, CHAI and the number was available. My father said to go and just be yourself and I am going to be a part of a team with some of the best players in the world. When I came into the locker-room everyone was welcoming like a family.”

Dressen looked at how Peretz will be a perfect compliment to the club and explained why Bayern was so keen on bringing him to Munich.

“He’s a goalkeeper that fits in the family, who’s grounded and had good character. So a package that we believe we can work well with for the future. Right now he’s the ideal solution in our goalkeeping team and I’m excited and sure we will have a lot of joy with him.”

“It’s one thing to play good football and you have scouts and coach who keeps an eye on him, but talent isn’t everything. Like in all things in life and you need passion, energy, discipline and character in order to make it at Bayern Munich. You need these characteristics and we saw that in Daniel which is why we chose him as a young man who has all of those.”