Denny Gropper is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Israel national team. He is also written as Danny Gruper in some football records. He is a left-footed defender who can play as a traditional left-back and also as a left midfielder when his team needs more width on the left side.
Born in Haifa, Israel, Denny Gropper developed through several Israeli youth systems before becoming a senior professional. He started in the Maccabi Haifa academy, later played in the youth departments of Hapoel Haifa and Ironi Nesher, and then began his senior career with Hapoel Afula. His strong first senior season helped him earn a move to Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he became known in the Israeli Premier League.
Gropper later moved abroad to Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria. That move became a major chapter in his career because he won league titles, Bulgarian Cups, and Super Cups with one of Bulgaria’s strongest clubs. In June 2025, Maccabi Tel Aviv officially announced that Denny Gropper joined the club from Ludogorets on a three-year deal with an option to extend.
For the Israel national team, Denny Gropper has earned 10 senior caps and has also represented Israel at U21 level. He made his senior international debut against Albania on 24 September 2022 in the UEFA Nations League.
His FIFA World Cup 2026 relevance is connected to Israel’s qualification campaign. Israel played in UEFA Group I with Norway, Italy, Estonia, and Moldova. Israel finished third in the group with 12 points and did not qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals. Norway qualified directly, while Italy finished second and went to the play-offs.
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Denny Gropper |
| Popular Name | Denny Gropper / Danny Gruper |
| Date of Birth | 16 March 1999 |
| Age | 27 years old |
| Birthplace | Haifa, Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Position | Left-back |
| Current Club | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
| National Team | Israel |
| Jersey Number | 14 |
| Height | 1.78 m |
| Weight | Around 71 kg in some public databases |
| Strong Foot | Left foot |
Denny Gropper is listed as a Maccabi Tel Aviv player, a left-back, and an Israel international. Transfermarkt lists his contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv until 30 June 2028, while National Football Teams lists his height as 1.78 m.
Early Life and Family Background
Denny Gropper was born on 16 March 1999 in Haifa, Israel. Haifa is one of Israel’s major football cities, and it has two well-known clubs: Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Haifa. Gropper’s early football life was strongly connected to that football environment.
He started his youth career at Maccabi Haifa, one of the most successful clubs in Israeli football. Playing in the Maccabi Haifa youth system gave him an early football base. He learned technique, discipline, movement, and the basics of defending as a young player.
In 2015, he moved to the Hapoel Haifa youth setup. Later, he also played in the Ironi Nesher youth system. These changes helped him continue developing and gave him different football experiences before senior football.
His senior breakthrough came with Hapoel Afula in the 2018–19 season. That season was very important because he scored 4 league goals in 30 Liga Leumit appearances. For a young left-back, that was a strong attacking contribution and helped him attract attention from a bigger club.
There is limited public information about his formal education. Reliable sources mainly focus on his football development, youth clubs, and professional career. Because of that, his school background should not be guessed.
Parents Details
Father Name
Denny Gropper’s father’s name has not been publicly confirmed in reliable football sources.
Mother Name
Denny Gropper’s mother’s name has not been publicly confirmed in reliable football sources.
Denny Gropper keeps most of his family background private. Public records say he was born in Haifa to an Ashkenazi Jewish family, but his parents’ names are not widely available in reliable football sources.
One interesting family detail is that his maternal uncle is Ronny Rosenthal, a former Israel international footballer who also played for clubs such as Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. This connection makes Gropper part of a football family with a strong link to Israeli football history.
Family influence is often important for a young player. Gropper moved through several youth academies, became a professional, played abroad, and represented Israel. That kind of career usually needs support, patience, and belief from home.
Siblings
Denny Gropper has a brother named Mikey Gropper. Transfermarkt’s public player information lists Mikey Gropper as his brother.
There is no widely confirmed public information about other brothers or sisters. Denny Gropper does not appear to share many personal family details in the media. His public profile is mainly focused on football.
Wife / Spouse Details
Wife Name
There is no publicly confirmed information that Denny Gropper is married.
Marriage Date
No marriage date is publicly available.
Relationship Story
Denny Gropper has not publicly confirmed a wife or marriage story in reliable football sources. He appears to keep his personal life away from regular media coverage.
Because there is no verified public information about a wife or spouse, it would be wrong to add a name. Fans should only trust details that come from the player, official club sources, or reliable media.
Girlfriend / Relationship Status
Girlfriend Name
Denny Gropper’s girlfriend’s name has not been publicly confirmed.
Dating History
There is no reliable public information about Denny Gropper’s dating history.
Current Relationship Status
Denny Gropper’s current relationship status is private. He has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend, wife, or partner in the main reliable football sources checked for this profile.
Many footballers prefer to keep relationships private, especially when their public life is focused on club football and national team matches. Gropper is known more for his work on the pitch than for celebrity news.
Children
Son
There is no publicly confirmed information that Denny Gropper has a son.
Daughter
There is no publicly confirmed information that Denny Gropper has a daughter.
Family Life
Denny Gropper has not publicly shared confirmed information about children or family life. His public image is mostly connected to football, his club career, his move to Maccabi Tel Aviv, and his Israel national team appearances.
Personal Life
Denny Gropper appears to live a professional and private lifestyle. He is not known as a footballer who constantly appears in entertainment media. Most public attention around him comes from football matches, transfers, national team call-ups, and injury updates.
His career shows ambition and resilience. He had to build himself through Israeli lower-division football, prove himself at Hapoel Tel Aviv, move to Bulgaria, win trophies with Ludogorets, and then return to Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
There is no major confirmed public information about his hobbies, interests, or charity work. Because of that, it is better not to invent personal details. What is clear is that Gropper is a football-focused player who has handled different leagues, clubs, and challenges.
His personality on the pitch looks energetic and competitive. As a left-back, he must defend one-on-one, support attacks, overlap on the wing, and recover quickly when his team loses the ball. These demands require stamina, discipline, and confidence.
Youth Career
Maccabi Haifa
Denny Gropper started his youth career with Maccabi Haifa. Public records list him in the club’s youth system from 2010 to 2015.
This was his first major football education. Maccabi Haifa’s academy helped him learn the basics of professional football. He developed as a young left-sided player in a competitive environment.
Hapoel Haifa
In 2015, Gropper moved to Hapoel Haifa’s youth department. This gave him another football environment in the same city.
Changing youth clubs can be important for young players. It allows them to get different coaching, more minutes, and new development opportunities.
Ironi Nesher
After Hapoel Haifa, Gropper played in the Ironi Nesher youth setup. This was his final listed youth club before senior football.
Ironi Nesher helped him prepare for the next step. In 2018, he moved into senior football with Hapoel Afula and quickly made an impact.
Professional Club Career
Hapoel Afula
Years
2018–2019
Appearances
Denny Gropper made 30 league appearances for Hapoel Afula in the 2018–19 Liga Leumit season. (Wikipedia)
Goals
He scored 4 league goals for Hapoel Afula.
Major Achievements
His main achievement at Hapoel Afula was proving himself as a senior professional footballer. It was his first season in senior football, and he showed that he could handle the physical and tactical demands of adult football.
Key Milestones
The 2018–19 season was a breakthrough. Gropper’s attacking output from left-back was impressive, and his performances helped him earn a move to Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2019.
Hapoel Tel Aviv
Years
2019–2022
Appearances
Denny Gropper made 56 league appearances for Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Goals
He scored 2 league goals for Hapoel Tel Aviv in the public league statistics.
Major Achievements
Hapoel Tel Aviv gave Gropper his first major Israeli Premier League platform. It allowed him to compete in the top division and become known to a wider Israeli football audience.
Key Milestones
Gropper joined Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2019 after his strong season with Hapoel Afula. This was a major step because Hapoel Tel Aviv is one of Israel’s historic clubs.
He became a regular squad player and gained important experience in the Israeli Premier League. His time at Hapoel Tel Aviv also helped him develop enough to attract interest from Ludogorets Razgrad.
Ludogorets Razgrad
Years
2022–2025
Appearances
Denny Gropper made 42 league appearances for Ludogorets Razgrad. He also played in European competitions during his time in Bulgaria.
Goals
He did not score a league goal for Ludogorets, but he scored in European competition. Transfermarkt’s club performance data lists 1 European goal for Ludogorets.
Major Achievements
Ludogorets was the most successful trophy chapter of Gropper’s career. He won Bulgarian First League titles, Bulgarian Cups, and Bulgarian Super Cups with the club. Public honors records list Ludogorets as Bulgarian champions during multiple seasons while Gropper was at the club.
Ludogorets also won the 2024–25 Bulgarian Cup by beating CSKA Sofia 1-0 in the final.
Key Milestones
Joining Ludogorets in 2022 was a major move because it took Gropper outside Israel. Ludogorets are one of the strongest clubs in Bulgaria and regularly compete in European tournaments.
Gropper’s time there helped him gain European experience. He played in UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League matches and faced stronger continental opponents. This made him more experienced and more tactically mature.
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Years
2025–Present
Appearances
Maccabi Tel Aviv officially announced Denny Gropper’s signing in June 2025. The club said he joined from Ludogorets on a three-year deal with an option to extend.
Public 2025–26 statistics list him with limited early appearances for Maccabi Tel Aviv, with Soccerway showing 2 league appearances in the season data available.
Goals
Denny Gropper has not scored a league goal for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the available public 2025–26 data.
Major Achievements
His main achievement so far at Maccabi Tel Aviv is returning to Israeli football with one of the biggest clubs in the country. Maccabi Tel Aviv’s official announcement described him as an Israeli international full-back and the club’s sixth addition before the 2025–26 season
Key Milestones
In September 2025, Gropper spoke about joining Maccabi Tel Aviv and said he came to a big club where competition for places is strong. He also said he was there to work hard and do what the club needed.
This is an important chapter because it gives him a chance to compete again in Israel after several years in Bulgaria.
International Career
Youth National Teams
Denny Gropper represented Israel U21. Maccabi Tel Aviv’s official signing announcement stated that he had 8 appearances for Israel U21.
Youth international football helped him gain experience outside club football. It also showed that he was viewed as a useful left-sided player in Israeli football.
Senior National Team Debut
Denny Gropper made his senior Israel debut on 24 September 2022 against Albania in the UEFA Nations League. Israel won the match 2-1.
Major Tournaments
Gropper has played for Israel in UEFA Nations League matches, European Championship qualifying, and international friendlies. EU-Football lists him with 10 senior appearances for Israel.
Important Goals
Denny Gropper has not scored for the Israel senior national team. EU-Football lists him with 10 matches and 0 goals for Israel.
Leadership Role
Gropper is not publicly listed as Israel’s national team captain. His role is mainly as a left-back or left-midfield option. His left-footed profile gives Israel balance on the left side, especially when the team needs a natural wide defender.
Also Read :
FIFA World Cup 2026
Current World Cup Status
Denny Gropper is not playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals because Israel did not qualify.
Israel finished third in UEFA Group I with 8 matches played, 4 wins, 0 draws, 4 losses, a goal difference of -1, and 12 points. Norway won the group with 24 points, while Italy finished second with 18 points.
Group Details
Israel’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying group was UEFA Group I. The group included Norway, Italy, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova. The teams played home-and-away matches during 2025.
Role In Squad
Gropper’s role around the Israel squad was as a left-sided defensive option. Transfermarkt’s national team page lists him in the wider national team record around the qualification period, including being on the bench for some World Cup qualification matches and appearing in friendlies.
He was not one of Israel’s main starters in the World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign. His value was more connected to squad depth and left-sided cover.
Expected Impact
Because Israel did not qualify, Denny Gropper will not have an impact at the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals.
However, the cycle still matters for his international career. Being in and around the national team during this period kept him connected to Israel’s senior setup. If he returns to full fitness and plays regularly for Maccabi Tel Aviv, he can remain an option for future international campaigns.
Performance Updates
Gropper’s World Cup 2026 situation is connected more to squad involvement than on-field impact. He was not a regular player in Israel’s qualifying matches, but he remained part of the wider national team picture during the period.
The latest important World Cup update is simple: Israel did not qualify for the final tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Playing Style
Denny Gropper is a left-footed left-back. He can also play as a left midfielder. His role depends on the team system, but his game is mainly built around wide defending, forward runs, crossing positions, and left-sided balance
Strengths
Gropper’s biggest strength is his natural left-footed profile. Teams often need a true left-footed player on the left side because it helps with passing angles, crosses, and build-up play.
Another strength is his attacking experience. Early in his career, he scored 4 league goals for Hapoel Afula, which showed that he could contribute going forward.
He also has international and European club experience. Playing for Ludogorets gave him exposure to European football, including UEFA competition matches.
Weaknesses
One challenge for Gropper has been fitness and injuries. Public player-status pages in 2026 listed him with knee injury concerns, and Transfermarkt’s national-team page referenced a cruciate ligament tear around March 2026
Another challenge is competition for places. At Maccabi Tel Aviv, he joined a club with strong squad depth. He himself spoke about the competition for every spot in the team.
Positioning
Gropper usually plays on the left side of defence. In a back four, he operates as a left-back. In a more attacking system, he can move higher and act like a left wing-back or left midfielder.
Technical Ability
His left foot is important to his game. He can carry the ball down the flank, deliver passes from wide areas, and help his team build attacks on the left side. He is not mainly known as a playmaker, but his technical role is useful in team structure.
Tactical Role
Gropper’s tactical role is to give balance. A left-back must defend wide areas, stop crosses, recover quickly, support the winger, and join attacks when possible. When used as a left midfielder, he can offer more defensive security than a pure winger.
Career Statistics
Club Career Stats
Denny Gropper’s senior club career includes Hapoel Afula, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Ludogorets Razgrad, Ludogorets II, and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Public career records list him with 30 league appearances and 4 goals for Hapoel Afula, 56 league appearances and 2 goals for Hapoel Tel Aviv, 42 league appearances and 0 goals for Ludogorets Razgrad, and early limited appearances for Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Transfermarkt’s club-stat overview lists 167 total club appearances, 8 goals, and 7 assists across competitions in its tracked data
International Career Stats
Denny Gropper has 10 senior caps and 0 goals for Israel. He also has 8 appearances for Israel U21.
Goals
Gropper has scored senior goals mainly at club level. He scored 4 league goals for Hapoel Afula and 2 league goals for Hapoel Tel Aviv in the public league records. He also scored once in European competition for Ludogorets.
Assists
Assist data is not complete across all public databases. Transfermarkt’s club overview lists 7 assists in tracked competitions.
Appearances
Gropper has made more than 100 senior club appearances across domestic and European competitions. His experience includes Israeli football, Bulgarian football, European club competitions, and international football with Israel.
Major Achievements and Honors
Club Titles
Denny Gropper’s biggest honors came with Ludogorets Razgrad.
His trophy record includes Bulgarian First League titles, Bulgarian Cup wins, and Bulgarian Super Cup wins. Public honors records list Ludogorets as league champions during his time at the club, and the 2025 Bulgarian Cup final ended with Ludogorets beating CSKA Sofia 1-0
International Titles
Denny Gropper has not won a major senior international title with Israel.
Individual Awards
There are no major widely confirmed individual awards listed for Denny Gropper in the reliable public football sources checked for this profile.
Salary
Denny Gropper’s exact salary at Maccabi Tel Aviv has not been publicly confirmed by the club.
His income likely comes from his club contract, match bonuses, performance bonuses, possible sponsorship income, and national team match payments. Maccabi Tel Aviv confirmed that he signed a three-year deal with an option to extend, but the club did not publish his salary.
Because no official salary figure is available, any exact wage number should be treated carefully. Unless the club, player, or a reliable official financial source confirms it, his salary should be described only as estimated.
Net Worth
Denny Gropper’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed.
A careful estimated net worth range would be around $500,000 to $1.5 million. This estimate is based on his professional football career, his time at Ludogorets, his current Maccabi Tel Aviv contract, Israel national team appearances, and market value. It is not an official figure.
Transfermarkt listed his market value around €300,000 to €500,000 in 2025–26 public profile data. Market value is not the same as net worth. Market value estimates a player’s transfer value, while net worth depends on salary, bonuses, taxes, savings, sponsorships, property, and investments.
Current Affairs and Latest Updates
Denny Gropper currently plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He joined the club in 2025 from Ludogorets on a three-year contract with an option to extend.
His current club situation is competitive. In September 2025, Gropper said that Maccabi Tel Aviv has competition for every place in the squad and that he was working hard to do what the club needed.
In terms of injuries, public player-status pages in 2026 listed knee-related injury concerns. Soccerway listed a knee injury, while Transfermarkt’s national team page referenced a cruciate ligament tear around the March 2026 international period.
There is no major confirmed transfer news suggesting that he is leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv. His contract is listed until 30 June 2028.
For FIFA World Cup 2026, the latest update is clear: Israel did not qualify. Gropper is not playing at the tournament finals because Israel finished third in UEFA Group I behind Norway and Italy.
Instagram Profile
Official Instagram Handle
Denny Gropper’s official Instagram handle is not clearly confirmed in the reliable football sources checked for this profile.
Official Instagram URL
No verified official Instagram URL was confirmed from reliable club or football database sources during this check.
Social Media Presence
Denny Gropper does not appear to be a player whose public image depends heavily on social media. His football profile is mainly built through club performances, national team appearances, transfers, and his trophy-winning years at Ludogorets.
Fans usually follow updates about him through Maccabi Tel Aviv, football databases, Israel national team news, and match reports.
Why This Player Is Special
Denny Gropper is special because his career shows patience and resilience. He did not become a top-level player immediately. He started in youth football in Haifa, moved through different academies, proved himself at Hapoel Afula, grew at Hapoel Tel Aviv, won trophies in Bulgaria, and returned to Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
His move to Ludogorets was especially important. Many Israeli players dream of playing abroad, but not everyone gets that chance. Gropper went to Bulgaria, competed for trophies, played in Europe, and gained experience outside his comfort zone.
Fans also admire his left-footed profile. Natural left-backs are valuable in football because they give balance to the team. Gropper can defend, support attacks, and also play higher on the left side when needed.
His family connection to Ronny Rosenthal also makes his story interesting. Rosenthal is a respected name in Israeli football history, and Gropper has created his own professional path in the same sport.
Interesting Facts
- Denny Gropper was born in Haifa, Israel.
- He is also written as Danny Gruper in some football records.
- He is a left-footed left-back.
- He started his youth career at Maccabi Haifa.
- He also played in the youth systems of Hapoel Haifa and Ironi Nesher.
- He scored 4 league goals for Hapoel Afula in his first senior season.
- His maternal uncle is former Israel international footballer Ronny Rosenthal.
- He won major domestic trophies with Ludogorets Razgrad.
- He joined Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2025 on a three-year deal with an option to extend.
- He made his senior Israel debut against Albania on 24 September 2022.
FAQs
How old is Denny Gropper?
Denny Gropper is 27 years old. He was born on 16 March 1999 in Haifa, Israel.
What is Denny Gropper’s height?
Denny Gropper is listed at 1.78 m by National Football Teams.
Who is Denny Gropper’s wife?
There is no publicly confirmed information that Denny Gropper is married. His wife’s name is not available in reliable public sources.
Does Denny Gropper have a girlfriend?
Denny Gropper has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend. His relationship status is private.
Which club does Denny Gropper play for?
Denny Gropper plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He joined the club from Ludogorets in 2025.
What position does Denny Gropper play?
Denny Gropper plays mainly as a left-back. He can also play as a left midfielder.
What is Denny Gropper’s net worth?
Denny Gropper’s exact net worth is not officially confirmed. A careful estimate is around $500,000 to $1.5 million, based on his professional football career, Maccabi Tel Aviv contract, Ludogorets trophies, and Israel national team status.
Is Denny Gropper playing in FIFA World Cup 2026?
No. Denny Gropper is not playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals because Israel did not qualify. Israel finished third in UEFA Group I behind Norway and Italy.
What is Denny Gropper’s strong foot?
Denny Gropper’s strong foot is his