COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids announced today the club has acquired Israeli forward Sayed Abu Farkhi from Maccabi Tel Aviv of Ligat ha’Al. Farkhi will join the club as a U22 initiative player on a contract through the 2029-30 MLS season with an option for 2030-31. He will take up an international roster slot and will join the group pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa.
“Sayed is a player we are incredibly excited to bring into our current group. He’s an exceptional player with a winning mentality,” said Club President Pádraig Smith. “His goal-scoring prowess paired with his outstanding work rate against the ball, is something that instantly drew us in. Sayed was a player in high demand across a number of clubs, so we’re delighted he has chosen the Rapids. He fits what we’re building here and will be a key piece for us going forward. We are thrilled to welcome him to Colorado.”
Farkhi, 20, began his career at Maccabi Tel Aviv with their U19 group in 2023. Coming up through the club’s youth system, he had multiple loan stints at SC Kfar Qasem and Maccabi Bnei Reineh over the course of two seasons. Following his second loan, Farkhi earned a contract with the Maccabi Tel Aviv first team during the 2025-26 season.
The striker saw the most success of his young career come last season with Tel Aviv in the Israeli first division. In 45 appearances for the club across all competitions, Farkhi notched 14 goals and three assists, including goals in major competitions. During the club’s run through the qualifying phase of the 2025/26 Europa League, Farkhi made six appearances in the continental competition, logging one goal over 325 minutes played. He also aided in the club’s Europa League Qualifiers for this upcoming season, recording two goals in three appearances.
Domestically, the forward played a major role in his club becoming champions of the Gvia haMedina tournament in 2026, playing in four matches and logging two goals during their cup-winning campaign. Most recently, Farkhi helped Maccabi Tel Aviv win another trophy on July 16, 2026, by recording a brace against Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. in the Israeli Super Cup Final to secure a 3-1 victory.
"We are delighted to bring Sayed to the club,” said Colorado Rapids Head Coach Matt Wells. “At a young age he has already competed at a very high level and has experience of playing in big environments. His player profile is exactly what we look for within our attackers; he is constantly pressing the opponent, can link the play technically and attacks the box with aggression. He fits the model of the type of players we want to sign - young and hungry to achieve big things in the game. He is a player who has high ambitions and is on the way up in his career. I’m very excited to watch him become a fan favorite.”
At the international level, Farkhi has made multiple appearances within Israeli youth national team squads, across the U16, U17, U19, and U21 levels. Recently made his senior national team debut this past June in a friendly against Albania.
TRANSACTION: The Colorado Rapids acquire Israeli forward Sayed Abu Farkhi from Maccabi Tel Aviv. Farkhi will join the club as a U22 initiative player on a contract through the 2029-30 MLS season with an option for 2030-31.
Sayed Abu Farkhi
Pronunciation: SAY-ed AH-boo FAR-khee
Position: Forward
Height: 6-2
Weight: 161 lbs
Birthdate: May 11, 2006
Birthplace: Baqa al-Gharbiyye, Israel
Nationality: Israeli
