Yossi Benayoun

Israeli captain Yossi Benayoun signed for Liverpool on July 12, 2007 after two years at West Ham.

The midfielder began his career at Hapoel Be'er Sheva, 30 miles from where he was born and grew up.

He was invited to join the Ajax Academy aged 15 but homesickness meant he spent just one full season in Holland before returning to Hapoel.

Benayoun broke into the first team soon after his return in 1997, scoring 15 goals in his first season.

Despite this, the club were relegated and their star man was off to Maccabi Haifa. Several foreign clubs had expressed an interest, but three years of national service would keep him at home until the age of 21.

International recognition soon came his way, with the player nicknamed The Kid making his senior debut aged 18 against Portugal in November 1998.

Benayoun was developing into one of the shining lights of Israeli football. He was the country's second top scorer in 1999-00 with 19 goals.

In 2000-01 he helped lead Haifa to their first title in seven years, winning the division's most valuable player in the process.

The following campaign brought another title-winner's medal but it was to be his last in his homeland. The midfielder then moved on to northern Spain and Racing Santander.

Benayoun enjoyed three seasons in La Liga, managing 21 goals in 101 matches before financial difficulties forced his owners to cash in.

West Ham reportedly paid £2.5million for the winger in the summer of 2005 and he quickly established himself as one of the Premiership's best right-sided midfielders.

His five goals and seven assists helped Alan Pardew's side finish ninth in 2005-06 - as well as an FA Cup final against Liverpool.

West Ham may have lost on penalties, but their number 15's disappoint was soon eased with news he was being handed the Israeli captaincy.