Eyal Berkovich (also spelled Berkovic, born April 2, 1972 in Haifa) is an Israeli football (soccer) player. He plays as a midfielder. He is currently without a club, having left Portsmouth F.C. to end his career in Israel.

As a football player, Berkovich is considered both as a real pro (with true sportsman attitude towards the game) and a football genius, who improves all the players around him and breaks opponents' defences with his masterpiece passes. Although he is not a scorer, he knows when to score cruical goals, some of them are very spectacular. He is hailed by many for his game intelligence and his cunning way of avoiding tackles and fouls from his defenders. He is considered to be one of the best Israeli football players. For is amazing assists he is known in Israel by the nickname Ha-Kosem (lit. "The Wizard").

As well as his footballing talent, Berkovich is well known for his hot temprament. He has had several clashes with team mates, most notably with Israeli footballers Reuven Atar and Eli Ohana , and Welsh striker John Hartson. His autobiography "Ha-Kosem" sparked controversy in the Israeli football scene because of the sharp and straight criticism of many of its figures.

Career

Berkovich began his career at Maccabi Haifa in 1989, playing there until 1996. During his time at the club he won the cup and league several times, including a 'double' in the 1990/91 season. His impressive performances for the club earned him a call up to the Israel national football team as well the MVP award for 1993/4 season.

For the 1996/97 season, Berkovich was signed by English club Southampton F.C., proving to be a big influence, being a major part of the famous 6-3 victory over Manchester United F.C.. The next season he was signed by West Ham United F.C., for whom he played for two seasons before Scottish club Glasgow Celtic F.C. signed him for $10 million (£6.5million). He played for Celtic for only two years before returning to England to join Blackburn Rovers F.C. on loan for the 2001/02 season. Again he remained only a short while before earning a permanent move to Manchester City F.C. the following year.

Despite becoming a firm favourite with the fans, a fallout with manager Kevin Keegan saw him transferred to Portsmouth F.C. for the 2003/04 season. He soon established himself in the first team at Pompey, being a vital part of their drive for Premier League survival.

However, he failed to hold down a regular starting place in the team for the 2004/05 season, and in January 2005 left Portsmouth to return to Israel.

Berkovich is also a regular in the Israel national squad, playing 77 times and scoring 9 goals. He is married and has two children.

External links

• Eyal Berkovich page on Maccabi Haifa official website (Hebrew)