Barnet Sign Israeli Keeper
Israeli goalkeeper Ran Kadoch has told TJ how signing a contract with Barnet has been "the beginning of a dream come true" for him.
The 22-year-old put pen to paper on a one-year contract at the weekend with the League Two side, joining from Israeli third division team Nes Ziona.
In doing so he's become the first Israeli goalkeeper to play in English football, something which he takes great pride in: "It's a big honour representing Israel and I am very proud to be playing here in English football and to be one of five Israeli players to be doing so," he said.
Kadoch had a trial at Underhill over the summer and took part in two pre-season friendlies against Watford and Leeds Utd, however, at the time manager Paul Fairclough didn't offer him a contract. "From one side it was very disappointing not to be offered a contract", he said, "but I always believed I would find my place in English football and was obviously delighted when the manager came back and offered me the contract."
Fairclough though changed his mind and has spoke glowingly of the Israeli saying "he has really impressed me, technically and mentally and I have not signed him to sit around doing nothing." Saying Fairclough's positive words means a lot to him, Ran isn't though setting himself any aims. "I don't set myself targets but am just looking to make a good impression and to carry on working very hard," he says. "If I do all that then other things will come in time. Should I be asked to play in this weekend's Chester game, I think I will be ready."
Although confessing not to know too much about the football club prior to the summer, he has settled in extremely well and is already happy with his surroundings. "I know a lot about the Premier League teams as there is a lot of coverage of them in Israel but I didn't know about Barnet. But before I had my trial, I looked them up on the Internet. I've now been training with the club for a month, all the players are very friendly and everyone has been very welcoming."
The fact that Barnet also houses its fair share of Jewish supporters also means Kadoch will feel all the more welcome, while eagle-eye supporters may also catch a glimpse of him in Shul. "I keep kosher and go to the synagogue when I can and with the area being a Jewish one, will be nice to know that I may be playing in front of quite a few Jewish supporters!"
