Zambian midfielder Emmanuel Banda has joined Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Bnei Reineh.
The 27-year old returns to Europe with the Israeli top-flight club following the expiration of his one year deal at Al-Tai SC of Saudi Arabia.
Al Tai SC compete in the second division in Saudi Arabia. Banda scored five goals and added two assists in 28 appearances in all competitions.
The club took to social media to confirm the arrival of the Zambian international.
“The Benny Reyna Club is pleased to announce the addition of Zambian midfielder Emmanuel Banda. Banda (27), born in Zambia, stands 1.78 meters tall and plays in the central midfielder.”
“We wish Emmanuel much success and believe that he will contribute a lot to the success of the team in the coming season.”
Banda has previously played for the Swedish club Þjørgårdens, the Croatian club Rijeka and the Belgian club Ostend, and has made 34 appearances for the Chipolopolo Boys.
The Zambian midfielder joined Rijeka in January 2023 from Swedish side Djurgaden where he made 56 appearances over three seasons in the league.
He scored 9 goals for Djurgaden between 2020 and 2022. For Rijeka he made 50 appearances and was involved in six goals.
The Edusport product was on the books of Belgian side KVO Oostende before he joined Djurgaden.
He spent four seasons at Belgium club where he played with compatriot Fashion Sakala.
Four goals in 27 appearances for KVO Oostende reads his stats. He also had a 6 months spell in French Ligue 2 with Beziers making 6 appearances.
In Zambia, he featured for Nchanga Rangers before he left for Portugal.
Banda was part of the all conquering Zambia Under-20 which won the CAF U20 African Cup of Nations on home soil in 2017.
