Gadi Kinda Leaves Sporting KC and Signs in Israel

The most recent reporting from Tom Bogert at the Athletic had Gadi Kinda as “extremely unlikely” to return to Sporting Kansas City. The next domino has fallen and Kinda has signed with Maccabi Haifa FC on a three-and-a-half-year deal according to a statement from the club.

גדי קינדה סיכם במועדון ויצטרף בינואר 🟢⚪️

שחקן נבחרת ישראל, גדי קינדה, סיכם את תנאיו במועדון ל-3.5 שנים, באמצעות סוכנו דודו דהאן. השחקן יינחת בישראל בשבוע הבא לבדיקות הרפואיות ויצטרף לאימוני הקבוצה.#יאללהמכבי pic.twitter.com/xTaK0gEb5m

— Maccabi Haifa FC (@mhfootballclub) December 28, 2023

Gadi Kinda hasn’t confirmed it through his social media channels, but Sporting KC said goodbye on theirs.

Thank you for everything, Gadi!#OneSportingWay pic.twitter.com/2oB5ILvCzj

— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) December 29, 2023

Gadi was out of contract with SKC after the 2023 season and while they attempted to negotiate a new contract for him, he ultimately felt the pull to return to Israel. He previously played for Beitar Jerusalem and Ashdod for 11 years, including his youth development.

Gadi leaves at 29-years-old in the prime of his career after returning from a serious knee injury that cost him all of the 2022 MLS season and a portion of the 2023 season. He leaves after Sporting KC paid the second highest transfer fee in club history to acquire him back during the 2020 season. He was originally on loan with the team before having his loan option purchased before the start of the 2021 season.

What’s Next for Sporting KC?

Since this news was starting to feel inevitable, we were out ahead of it slightly at the KC Soccer Journal. Earlier this week we threw out some options to fill the open Designated Player spot that Kinda leaving would provide. Now this move is a reality, and the club can turn a large portion of their attention to this very important signing. They must get the DP signing right in a league where you only get three. Currently Alan Pulido and Erik Thommy fill the other two DP spots.

How Should Sporting KC Spend its Open DP Spot?

We wish Gadi Kinda the best in both his soccer future and as a human. He was an exciting player for Sporting KC and he’ll be missed!

Somewhat related, it’s interesting that Gadi Kinda went to a different club in Israel. He most recently played for Beitar Jerusalem, who I learned on an interested episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out is the club supported by the far right politically leaning folks in Israel. Link below.