Omri Gandelman is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Italian Serie A club US Lecce and the Israel national team. He is a tall, intelligent, and goal-scoring midfielder who can play in central midfield, attacking midfield, and deeper midfield roles when needed.
Born in Hod HaSharon, Israel, Omri Gandelman developed through several Israeli youth academies before becoming a senior player at Maccabi Netanya. He later moved to Belgian club KAA Gent, where he became one of the most productive midfielders in the squad. In January 2026, Gandelman joined US Lecce in Italy on a permanent transfer from Gent. Lecce officially announced that he signed a contract until 30 June 2029, with an option for one more season.
Gandelman is not a typical midfielder who only controls the ball in the middle of the pitch. He is especially dangerous because of his height, timing, and ability to arrive in the box. During his time at Gent, he scored many important goals and built a reputation as a midfielder who can decide matches. KAA Gent said he scored 33 goals and made 14 assists in 107 official matches for the club before moving to Lecce.
For Israel, Omri Gandelman has represented the national team at youth, Olympic, and senior levels. He played for Israel U21, represented Israel at the 2024 Olympic Games, and later became part of the senior national team. Transfermarkt lists him with 6 senior caps and 2 goals for Israel in its updated profile data.
His FIFA World Cup 2026 relevance comes from Israel’s UEFA qualification campaign. Israel played in Group I with Norway, Italy, Estonia, and Moldova. Norway qualified directly for the World Cup finals, Italy advanced to the play-offs, and Israel finished third, so Omri Gandelman is not playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals.
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Omri Gandelman |
| Popular Name | Omri Gandelman |
| Date of Birth | 16 May 2000 |
| Age | 26 years old |
| Birthplace | Hod HaSharon, Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli, also holds Portuguese citizenship |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Position | Midfielder / Attacking Midfielder |
| Current Club | US Lecce |
| National Team | Israel |
| Jersey Number | 16 |
| Height | 1.88 m / 6 ft 2 in |
| Weight | Not consistently confirmed by official club sources |
| Strong Foot | Not clearly confirmed by official club sources |
Transfermarkt lists Omri Gandelman as a 1.88 m attacking midfielder for US Lecce, born on 16 May 2000 in Hod HaSharon, Israel. The same profile lists his market value at €3 million in the latest crawled data.
Early Life and Family Background
Omri Gandelman was born on 16 May 2000 in Hod HaSharon, Israel. He grew up in a sports-connected family and started playing football at a young age. Public profile records say he was born and raised in Hod HaSharon and comes from an Israeli family with Ashkenazi Jewish and Sephardi Jewish roots.
His early football journey took him through several youth systems in Israel. He played for Hapoel Hod HaSharon, Maccabi Petah Tikva, Hapoel Ra’anana, and later returned to Maccabi Petah Tikva. He also spent time in Germany with Wehen Wiesbaden’s academy before returning to Israel.
This early path was not simple. Moving between clubs at youth level can be difficult, but it also helps a player learn different styles. Gandelman developed as a tall midfielder with strong physical qualities, but he also improved his timing, passing, and ability to make late runs into the box.
He later joined Maccabi Netanya, and that move became the key step in his professional career. Maccabi Netanya gave him his senior debut, regular first-team football, and the platform to move abroad.
Gandelman also holds a Portuguese passport because of Sephardi Jewish ancestry. This is useful for European football because it can make registration easier in some leagues.
Parents Details
Father Name
Omri Gandelman’s father is Shmuel “Shmulik” Gandelman. Public profile records describe him as a former Israeli basketball player.
Mother Name
Omri Gandelman’s mother’s name has not been clearly confirmed in reliable public football sources.
Gandelman’s family background is strongly connected to sport. His father played basketball, and public records also mention that he is the grandson of Rami Gandelman, who was connected with basketball management and sports in Jerusalem.
This sporting background likely helped Omri understand discipline, training, pressure, and competition from a young age. He did not only grow up as a footballer; he grew up in a family that understood the world of professional sport.
Siblings
There is no publicly confirmed information about Omri Gandelman’s brothers or sisters.
He keeps most of his personal family life private. His public profile is mainly focused on football, his father’s sports background, his club career, and his national team journey.
Wife / Spouse Details
Wife Name
There is no publicly confirmed information that Omri Gandelman is married.
Marriage Date
No marriage date is publicly available.
Relationship Story
Omri Gandelman has not publicly confirmed a wife or marriage story in reliable football sources. Because of that, it would be incorrect to mention a spouse name.
He appears to keep his private life away from regular media attention. Fans should only trust relationship details that come from the player himself, official club sources, or reliable public reporting.
Girlfriend / Relationship Status
Girlfriend Name
Public profile records mention that Omri Gandelman has been linked with an Israeli girlfriend named Meital.
Dating History
There is no detailed verified public information about Omri Gandelman’s dating history before Meital.
Current Relationship Status
Omri Gandelman’s current relationship status is best described as private. Public records have linked him with Meital, but personal relationships can change, and he does not make his private life a major media topic.
Because of that, only publicly available information should be used, and no unverified claims should be added.
Children
Son
There is no publicly confirmed information that Omri Gandelman has a son.
Daughter
There is no publicly confirmed information that Omri Gandelman has a daughter.
Family Life
Omri Gandelman has not publicly confirmed having children. His public family details are mainly connected to his father’s sports background and his own football career.
Personal Life
Omri Gandelman appears to live a professional and football-focused life. He is not known as a player who constantly appears in entertainment media. Most of the attention around him comes from his performances, transfer moves, national team matches, and his strong goal-scoring record from midfield.
His move from Israel to Belgium and then Italy shows ambition. Many Israeli players want to prove themselves in Europe, but not all succeed. Gandelman’s time at Gent was especially important because he adapted well and became a major attacking threat from midfield.
KAA Gent praised his professionalism when he left for Lecce, saying he had given the club many important moments in blue and white.
There is no major confirmed public information about his hobbies, charity work, or private lifestyle. It is better not to invent details. What is clear is that Gandelman is serious about football and has shown the ability to adapt to new countries and leagues.
On the pitch, his personality looks calm, brave, and confident. He is strong in the air, willing to enter the penalty area, and dangerous when the ball arrives in scoring positions. Those qualities make him different from many traditional midfielders.
Youth Career
Hapoel Hod HaSharon
Omri Gandelman began his youth career with Hapoel Hod HaSharon. Public records list him with the club from 2008 to 2011.
This was his first football foundation. At a young age, he learned the basics of technique, movement, teamwork, and match discipline.
Maccabi Petah Tikva
Gandelman later joined Maccabi Petah Tikva. He was part of the club’s youth system from 2011 to 2014 and returned again between 2017 and 2018.
Maccabi Petah Tikva is known for developing Israeli footballers, and this period helped him grow as a young player.
Hapoel Ra’anana
Between his Maccabi Petah Tikva spells, Gandelman played in Hapoel Ra’anana’s youth system. Public records list him there from 2014 to 2017.
This gave him another development environment and more experience in youth football.
Wehen Wiesbaden
In 2018, Gandelman spent time in the youth setup of German club Wehen Wiesbaden. Public records say he was scouted by the German academy before returning to Israel.
This short time abroad was an early sign that his talent was noticed outside Israel.
Maccabi Netanya Youth
Gandelman later joined Maccabi Netanya’s youth setup in 2018 and stayed there until 2020.
This became the most important youth step of his career because Maccabi Netanya gave him his senior professional breakthrough.
Professional Club Career
Maccabi Netanya
Years
2020–2023
Appearances
Omri Gandelman made 100 league appearances for Maccabi Netanya, according to public career records.
Goals
He scored 10 league goals for Maccabi Netanya.
Major Achievements
His main team achievement with Maccabi Netanya was winning the Toto Cup Ligat Al in 2022–23. FotMob lists this title among his career honors.
Key Milestones
Gandelman made his senior debut for Maccabi Netanya on 2 June 2020 in a 3-1 Israeli Premier League win over Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona.
At Maccabi Netanya, he developed from a young midfielder into a regular senior player. His height, athletic ability, and leadership qualities made him an important part of the team. KAA Gent later said that before joining them, he had played 110 first-team matches for Maccabi Netanya and scored 11 goals.
This period was crucial because it proved he was ready for European football.
KAA Gent
Years
2023–2026
Appearances
Omri Gandelman joined KAA Gent in August 2023. Gent announced that he signed a four-season contract and described him as a central midfielder with “strong lungs.”
Goals
Gandelman became a very productive midfielder in Belgium. KAA Gent said he scored 33 goals and gave 14 assists in 107 official matches for the club.
Major Achievements
His biggest achievement at Gent was becoming a key goal-scoring midfielder in Belgian football. He did not only play regularly; he became one of the club’s most dangerous players in attacking areas.
Key Milestones
Gent was Gandelman’s first major club outside Israel. That move tested his ability to adapt to a new league, new country, new language, and higher European competition standards.
He handled that challenge well. His goals in the Belgian Pro League and European matches helped raise his profile. By the time he left, Gent described him as a player who had scored many important goals and had delivered excellent statistics.
His success in Belgium led directly to his transfer to Serie A.
US Lecce
Years
2026–Present
Appearances
Omri Gandelman joined US Lecce on 9 January 2026. Lecce officially announced that they had acquired his sporting rights permanently from KAA Gent.
Goals
Public profile records list him with early Serie A goals for Lecce after his January 2026 move. Transfermarkt’s career stats page listed him as a Lecce player with caps and goals updated during 2026.
Major Achievements
His main Lecce achievement so far is earning a move to Serie A. For an Israeli midfielder, moving from Belgium to Italy’s top division is a major career step.
Key Milestones
Lecce signed Gandelman until 30 June 2029, with an option for the following season.
This long contract shows that Lecce see him as more than a short-term signing. Serie A is a tactical league, so this move gives him a chance to improve his defensive reading, positioning, and decision-making while also showing his goal-scoring quality from midfield.
International Career
Youth National Teams
Omri Gandelman represented Israel U21 from 2021 to 2023. Public records list him with 14 appearances and 4 goals for Israel U21.
Youth international football helped him gain experience against strong European opponents. It also helped prepare him for senior national team football.
Senior National Team Debut
Gandelman made his senior Israel debut on 12 November 2021 in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Austria. He came on as a substitute in Israel’s 4-2 away defeat
Major Tournaments
Gandelman played for Israel’s Olympic team at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Public records say he played all three Olympic group-stage matches and scored against Paraguay.
He has also played for Israel in UEFA Nations League matches and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Important Goals
Omri Gandelman scored his first senior international goal for Israel against France in a UEFA Nations League match on 10 October 2024.
That goal was important because it came against one of the strongest national teams in the world.
Leadership Role
Gandelman is not publicly listed as Israel’s senior national team captain. However, he has leadership qualities. KAA Gent’s 2023 announcement mentioned that he had often been captain from a young age.
His leadership role for Israel may grow in future years if he continues playing regularly in Serie A and scoring from midfield.
FIFA World Cup 2026
Current World Cup Status
Omri Gandelman is not playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals because Israel did not qualify.
Israel finished third in UEFA Group I with 12 points from eight matches. The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel had four wins and four losses, but that record was not enough to avoid elimination.
Group Details
Israel’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying group was UEFA Group I. The group included Norway, Italy, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova. Norway qualified directly, while Italy advanced to the play-off round.
Role In Squad
Gandelman’s role for Israel is as a midfield option who can play centrally and add goal threat. Unlike some midfielders who stay deep, he can arrive in the box and score.
His ability to play as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder gives Israel tactical flexibility.
Expected Impact
Because Israel did not qualify, Gandelman will not have an impact at the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals.
However, the qualification cycle was still important for his career because he remained part of Israel’s senior national team picture while also moving to a top European league.
Performance Updates
Israel’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign ended in third place. For Gandelman personally, the bigger recent update is his January 2026 transfer from KAA Gent to US Lecce. That move can help him become a more complete player before future Israel campaigns.
Playing Style
Omri Gandelman is a tall midfielder with strong attacking instincts. He can play in central midfield and attacking midfield, and earlier in his career he also had defensive qualities because of his size and work rate.
Strengths
Gandelman’s biggest strength is his ability to score from midfield. His record at Gent was excellent for a midfielder: 33 goals and 14 assists in 107 official matches.
Another major strength is his height. At 1.88 m, he is strong in aerial situations and can be dangerous from crosses, corners, and second balls.
He also has good timing. He knows when to enter the penalty area and attack space. This makes him difficult for defenders to mark.
Weaknesses
Gandelman is not a small, quick dribbling midfielder. His game depends more on timing, movement, strength, and positioning than close-control flair.
In Serie A, he may need to improve his defensive positioning and speed of decision-making because Italian football is very tactical.
Positioning
Gandelman is at his best when he can move between midfield and attack. He can start deeper, then make late runs into the box. This makes him hard to track.
Technical Ability
He has enough technical ability to play in midfield, but his standout quality is not flashy dribbling. His best technical actions are finishing, heading, short passing, and smart movement.
Tactical Role
At Lecce, Gandelman can be used as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder, or box-to-box player. For Israel, he gives the team height, energy, and scoring ability from midfield.
Career Statistics
Club Career Stats
Omri Gandelman’s senior club career includes Maccabi Netanya, KAA Gent, and US Lecce.
Public records list him with 100 league appearances and 10 goals for Maccabi Netanya, 83 league appearances and 23 goals for Gent, and early Serie A appearances and goals for Lecce.
KAA Gent’s official farewell article gives his all-competitions Gent record as 107 matches, 33 goals, and 14 assists.
International Career Stats
Transfermarkt lists Omri Gandelman with 6 senior caps and 2 goals for Israel in its updated player data.
Goals
Gandelman has scored goals in Israel, Belgium, Italy, European competitions, and international football. His Gent goal record is the most impressive part of his career so far.
Assists
KAA Gent reported that Gandelman produced 14 assists in 107 official matches for the club.
Appearances
Gandelman has already played more than 200 senior club matches across all competitions when combining his Maccabi Netanya, Gent, and Lecce records. His experience includes Israeli football, Belgian football, Serie A, European competitions, and senior international football.
Major Achievements and Honors
Club Titles
Omri Gandelman won the Toto Cup Ligat Al with Maccabi Netanya in 2022–23. FotMob lists that title among his career honors.
International Titles
Omri Gandelman has not won a major senior international title with Israel.
Individual Awards
There are no major widely confirmed individual awards listed for Omri Gandelman in the reliable public sources checked for this profile.
However, his scoring record at Gent and move to Serie A are major career achievements.
Salary
Omri Gandelman’s exact salary at US Lecce has not been publicly confirmed by the club.
His income likely comes from club salary, performance bonuses, possible signing bonuses, sponsorship income, and national team match payments. Lecce confirmed that he signed a contract until 30 June 2029, with an option for one more season, but the club did not publish salary details.
Because no official wage figure is available, any exact salary number should be treated as an estimate unless confirmed by Lecce, the league, or the player.
Net Worth
Omri Gandelman’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed.
A careful estimated net worth range would be around $1 million to $3 million. This estimate is based on his Maccabi Netanya career, successful Gent spell, Serie A contract with Lecce, national team status, and market value. It is not an official financial figure.
Transfermarkt’s latest crawled profile data listed his market value at €3 million. Market value is not the same as net worth. Market value estimates a player’s football transfer value, while net worth depends on salary, taxes, bonuses, savings, sponsorships, property, and personal investments.
Current Affairs and Latest Updates
Omri Gandelman currently plays for US Lecce in Serie A. He joined the Italian club from KAA Gent on 9 January 2026. Lecce confirmed the transfer as a permanent deal and announced his contract until 30 June 2029, with an option for another season.
His Gent exit was also confirmed by KAA Gent, who thanked him for his professionalism and highlighted his 33 goals and 14 assists in 107 official matches.
There are no major confirmed current injury reports for Omri Gandelman in the reliable sources checked for this profile.
In transfer news, the latest major update is his move to Lecce. There is no strong confirmed report that he is leaving the Italian club.
For FIFA World Cup 2026, the latest update is clear: Israel did not qualify. Gandelman is not playing at the final tournament, but he remains an important player for Israel’s future campaigns.
Also Read
Instagram Profile
Official Instagram Handle
Omri Gandelman’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
Omri Gandelman does not appear to build his public image mainly through social media. His profile is built more through match performances, goals, club transfers, and national team appearances.
Fans usually follow updates about him through US Lecce, KAA Gent archives, Israeli national team reports, Transfermarkt, FotMob, UEFA, and match coverage.
Why This Player Is Special
Omri Gandelman is special because he is a midfielder with a striker’s goal instinct. Many midfielders can pass and run, but not many score as often as he did at Gent.
His size also makes him different. At 1.88 m, he gives his team a strong aerial option. He can win headers, attack crosses, and create danger from set pieces.
His career path is also impressive. He started in Israeli youth football, became a regular at Maccabi Netanya, moved to Belgium, became a key player at Gent, and then earned a move to Serie A. That shows ambition, development, and mental strength.
Fans admire him because he works hard and contributes in different ways. He can defend, run, pass, and score. His best quality is that he makes midfield more dangerous.
Interesting Facts
- Omri Gandelman was born in Hod HaSharon, Israel.
- He was born on 16 May 2000.
- He is 1.88 m tall.
- His father Shmuel “Shmulik” Gandelman was a basketball player.
- He played youth football for several Israeli clubs before joining Maccabi Netanya.
- He spent time in Germany with Wehen Wiesbaden’s academy.
- He made his senior debut for Maccabi Netanya in June 2020.
- He scored 33 goals in 107 official matches for KAA Gent.
- He joined US Lecce in January 2026.
- He scored his first senior Israel goal against France in October 2024.
FAQs
How old is Omri Gandelman?
Omri Gandelman is 26 years old. He was born on 16 May 2000 in Hod HaSharon, Israel.
What is Omri Gandelman’s height?
Omri Gandelman is 1.88 m tall, which is around 6 ft 2 in.
Who is Omri Gandelman’s wife?
There is no publicly confirmed information that Omri Gandelman is married. His wife’s name is not available in reliable public sources.
Does Omri Gandelman have a girlfriend?
Public profile records have linked Omri Gandelman with an Israeli girlfriend named Meital. His current relationship status is private.
Which club does Omri Gandelman play for?
Omri Gandelman plays for US Lecce in Italy’s Serie A. He joined the club from KAA Gent in January 2026.
What position does Omri Gandelman play?
Omri Gandelman plays mainly as a midfielder or attacking midfielder. Transfermarkt lists him as an attacking midfielder.
What is Omri Gandelman’s net worth?
Omri Gandelman’s exact net worth is not officially confirmed. A careful estimate is around $1 million to $3 million, based on his club career, Serie A contract, national team status, and market value.
Is Omri Gandelman playing in FIFA World Cup 2026?
No. Omri Gandelman is not playing at FIFA World Cup 2026 because Israel did not qualify. Israel finished third in UEFA Group I behind Norway and Italy.
What is Omri Gandelman’s jersey number?
Omri Gandelman wears number 16 for US Lecce. Transfermarkt lists him as Lecce’s number 16.
How many goals did Omri Gandelman score for Gent?
KAA Gent reported that Omri Gandelman scored 33 goals in 107 official matches for the club.
Conclusion
Omri Gandelman is one of the most interesting Israeli midfielders playing in Europe. His journey from Hod HaSharon to Maccabi Netanya, KAA Gent, US Lecce, and the Israel national team shows steady progress, ambition, and strong football intelligence.
At Maccabi Netanya, he became a senior professional and won the Toto Cup. At Gent, he became much more than a regular midfielder. He turned into a serious goal threat, scoring 33 times and adding 14 assists in 107 official matches. That production made him stand out in Belgian football and helped him earn a move to Serie A.
His move to US Lecce is a major step. Serie A is one of the most tactical leagues in the world, and Gandelman now has the chance to improve against strong opponents every week. If he adapts well, his value and reputation can grow even more.
For Israel, Gandelman remains an important midfield option. Israel did not qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026, but players like him can be key in future UEFA Nations League, European Championship, and World Cup qualification campaigns.
At 26 years old, Omri Gandelman is entering an important stage of his career. He has the height, timing, goal threat, and European experience to become one of Israel’s most valuable midfielders in the coming years.