Zambian forward Joseph Sabobo Banda has signed a four-year deal with Israeli top-flight side Hapoel Be’er Sheva from FC Zürich, in a transfer worth €200,000 (approximately ZMW 5.3 million).
The 19-year-old joins the Israeli outfit on the back of a breakout senior international debut, where he starred in Zambia’s 3-2 win over Sierra Leone during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Levy Mwanawansa Stadium in Ndola last year.
Speaking to the club’s media after signing, Sabobo expressed his excitement: “I’m very excited to sign for the club. I’m aware of the goals before us, and I’m determined to help my new friends achieve them. Very happy to have collaborated with my good friend from the Zambian national team, Kings Kangwa, who told me a lot about the club, the ambitions, the love, and the amazing crowd that surrounds him.”
Sabobo’s football journey
Sabobo had joined FC Zürich from Athletico Lusaka in January 2023 on a five-year contract but struggled for regular first-team football, making just nine appearances and scoring one goal for the senior team.
His only goal came on his Swiss Super League debut on August 11, 2024, when he came off the bench in the 67th minute to score in a 2-0 win against Lausanne.
Before signing with Zürich, he had impressed during trials in May 2023, later helping the club’s youth team win the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup 2023.
Sabobo rose to national prominence in 2021, when he starred in the COSAFA U-17 Championship, finishing as Player of the Tournament and joint Top Scorer with five goals at just 15 years old.
He was also invited for trials at FC Barcelona in 2022 and earned his first senior national team call-up under Avram Grant, making his debut against the Ivory Coast in a 2-0 loss, where he played the final two minutes.
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