He returned to Israel for his wedding but got stuck. Manor Solomon (26), who was set to return to Tottenham Hotspur, has become caught up in the aftermath of the war.
The British 'Telegraph' reported on the 17th (Korean time) that "Solomon has been trapped in Israel due to the conflict with Iran. The club is in contact with him as he waits for the missile attacks to subside and for the skies to open up."
Solomon is an Israeli winger who wore the Tottenham uniform in the summer of 2023. He has the advantage of being able to use both feet well and can operate on both flanks. Although he is somewhat small at 170 cm, he boasts quick feet and sharp shooting.
Solomon started to make a name for himself by transferring to Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2019 and spent a year on loan at Fulham during the 2022-2023 season. Although he had not yet completed his contract with Shakhtar, he was able to suspend his contract for one year due to a special FIFA provision that allows players in the Ukrainian league to halt contracts because of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Solomon scored 5 goals in 24 matches at Fulham. His next destination was Tottenham. Tottenham, which wanted to strengthen its wings, brought him in on a free agent (FA) signing. There were expectations he would serve as a backup to Son Heung-min and a new partner. Indeed, Solomon showcased his potential during the preseason tour.
The start was promising. Solomon seemed to become Son Heung-min's "super assistant" at Tottenham. After making his first start against Burnley in September 2023, he made two assists for Son Heung-min's goals, leaving an impression.
But that was as far as it went. An unexpected major injury hindered Solomon. He collapsed during training in October 2023 with a meniscus tear and was unable to play a single match afterward. Initially, he was expected to return in about four months. However, in March 2024, he underwent surgery on his right knee meniscus and had to focus on rehabilitation once again.
Ultimately, Solomon finished his debut season with 6 matches and 2 assists. He barely received opportunities during last summer's preseason and opted for a loan to Leeds in the English Championship (second division). Tottenham had also added wingers such as Wilson Odobert, so they sent Solomon on loan without any regrets.
Solomon's choice proved to be correct. He quickly established himself as a key resource for Leeds, recording 41 matches, 10 goals, and 13 assists, contributing to the team's championship and promotion to the Premier League. Although Leeds had pursued permanently signing Solomon, he decided to return to Tottenham this summer. According to 'The Sun', he is expected to receive a second chance at Tottenham.
Solomon returned to Israel for the preseason. After representing his country in the 2026 North and Central American World Cup qualifiers, he held his wedding in Israel. However, he became trapped due to an unexpected war. Tottenham stated, "We are in regular communication with all players regarding their health and welfare," but the situation is undoubtedly worrisome.
The Telegraph reported that "Although Solomon lived on loan at Leeds last season, he remains a Tottenham player. He returned to his home country last week to get married to his long-time partner Dana Boshina, but he is currently stuck in Israel. It is unclear when he will be able to return." Earlier, Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi (Inter Milan) also could not join his team for the 2025 Club World Cup due to flight cancellations.
The media also stated, "Israeli airspace is closed, and flights to and from Israel have been suspended due to airstrikes with Iran. The two countries have exchanged deadly missile attacks," adding, "An associate of Solomon said he could only leave Israel when 'the skies open up.' Furthermore, they are hopeful of hearing more news by this weekend."
For Solomon, not only is his safety at stake, but his future for the next season may also be adversely affected. It is vital for him to impress Thomas Frank, the new head coach, during the short preseason period to earn a chance to continue playing at Tottenham. If he can win over Frank's heart, there is a good chance he could become a key player.
The Telegraph reported that "Tottenham will not resume training until July. Solomon will hope to leave a good impression on the new coach Thomas Frank. However, it is only natural for the club to be concerned about the safety and welfare of the players before that time." The report also stated that Leeds is interested in permanently signing Solomon, who played a key role in their promotion. However, Coach Frank will decide on the next steps after evaluating the new team during the preseason.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), Solomon, Leeds social media.
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