Kenneth Hasan "Kenny" Saief (, ; born ) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left midfielder for Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Haifa. He played for Israel internationally at both youth and senior levels, before switching allegiance to the United States.
Early life Saief was born in Panama City, Florida, U.S., to Druze-Israeli parents; the family returned to Israel when he was three.
Club career Saief began his professional career with Bnei Sakhnin in 2011, before he was transferred to Hapoel Haifa one season later. The next year, he moved to Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona and reached the final of the Israel State Cup. Saief made only two appearances however, which resulted in a transfer to Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon. There he gained more playing opportunities.
Saief attracted the attention of Belgian Pro League team K.A.A. Gent, who signed him for a three-year deal on August 8, 2014. Saief's first season at the club saw him with the Belgian Pro League title. After four seasons at Gent, Saief officially signed to Anderlecht in May 2018.
On March 6, 2019, Saief was loaned to FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer. On March 24, 2019, Saief scored his first MLS goal against the New England Revolution. On June 11, 2019, Saief's loan was terminated due to injury complications.
On February 12, 2020, he was loaned to Polish Ekstraklasa's Lechia Gdańsk until the end of 2019–20 season.
On 1 July 2022, Saief signed a two-year contract with Azerbaijan Premier League club Neftçi. On 14 December 2023, Saief left Neftçi.
On 19 December 2023 signed for Maccabi Haifa.
International career Saief has represented the Israel national team at various youth levels. He reportedly stated that he expected to play for the United States national team, although he was called up to the Israel national team and made his debut in a friendly 2–1 loss to Croatia.
On June 3, 2017, Saief was called up by the United States as part of their 40-man preliminary roster for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. As part of his callup, Saief filed a one-time switch with FIFA, tying him permanently to the US program.
On June 22, 2017, U.S. Soccer confirmed that Saief had been approved by FIFA for a change of association.
He was chosen to make his first start for the United States against Paraguay on March 27, 2018.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBnei Sakhnin2010–11Israeli Premier League600000—60Hapoel Haifa2012–13Israeli Premier League300010—40Ironi Kiryat Shmona2012–13Israeli Premier League2000—0020Ramat HaSharon2013–14Israeli Premier League2893100—3110Gent2014–15Belgian Pro League20241——2432015–16Belgian Pro League28410—803742016–17Belgian First Division A31730—1314782017–18Belgian First Division A3020—0050Total8213101—21111315Anderlecht (loan)2017–18Belgian First Division A171———171Anderlecht2018–19Belgian First Division A12000—501702020–21Belgian First Division A0000—0000Total29100—50341FC Cincinnati (loan)2019 Major League Soccer9100000090Lechia Gdańsk (loan)2019–20Ekstraklasa11100——1112020–21Ekstraklasa22010——230Total33110—00341Ashdod (loan)2021–22Israeli Premier League304100000314Neftçi2022–23Azerbaijan Premier League32450—424162023–24Azerbaijan Premier League14100—41182Total46550—83598Maccabi Haifa2023–24Israeli Premier League2003010302702024–25Israeli Premier League2632020103132025–26Israeli Premier League0000003030Total463503070613Career total314372524041438443
Honors Gent Belgian Pro League: 2014–15 Belgian Super Cup: 2015
See also List of Israeli Druze
References
External links