CHICAGO, Ill. (Sept. 13, 2012) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Thursday that the club has loaned forward Orr Barouch to Israeli side Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv F.C. The 20-year-old Israeli-born striker will join the Tel Aviv side immediately. Per club and MLS policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“This loan provides Orr with an opportunity to earn consistent playing time,” said Fire Head Coach Frank Klopas. “Orr was interested in playing in Israel and Bnei Yehuda was a good fit. We look forward to monitoring Orr’s progress and development while he is playing in Israel.”
Barouch joined the Men in Red on loan from Mexican Primera side Tigres UANL on March 10, 2011. Barouch appeared in 28 league matches, tallying two goals and two assists during the 2011 MLS campaign. Barouch also led the team in scoring with three goals during the side’s run to the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final and added five goals during MLS Reserve League play.
The Fire purchased the rights to Barouch on Dec. 5, 2011. In the 2012 MLS Regular Season, he has appeared in nine games for the Men in Red, starting the Fire’s June 2 match against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Barouch also started and played 84 minutes in the Fire’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third-round match on May 29.
Born in Haifa, Israel, Barouch made his international debut for the Israeli U-21 Men’s National Team in 2011 and has represented Israel at the U-21 level five times, scoring twice.
Name: Orr Barouch
Position: Forward
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 190 lbs.
Date of Birth: November 29, 1991
Place of Birth: Haifa, Israel
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Citizenship: Israel, holds a U.S. green card
Departed: Loaned to Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv F.C. on Sept. 13, 2012
