Chipolopolo midfielder Klings Kangwa has finally been handed his preferred jersey number 17 at Israeli Premier League side Hapoel Be’er Sheva, marking another personal milestone in an already impressive spell at the club.
Kangwa has been wearing number 20 since completing his move to Be’er Sheva from Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade in July 2024. The Zambian international is now expected to debut the iconic number 17 this Saturday when Be’er Sheva travel to face Ashdod in league action.
The switch carries special significance for the former Happy Hearts midfielder, who is enjoying a second chapter with the Israeli outfit. Kangwa previously spent the 2017/18 season in Be’er Sheva’s youth ranks, where he announced himself with nine goals before moving on to continue his rise in European football.
Kangwa has been a key figure this season, registering 11 goal contributions in the Israeli Premier League so far, scoring six goals and providing five assists as Be’er Sheva remain firmly in the title race.
His impact at the club dates back to his outstanding debut season, where he delivered 23 goal contributions across all competitions, netting 15 goals and supplying eight assists. Those performances played a pivotal role in Be’er Sheva’s second-place league finish and their State Cup triumph.
The season also brought individual accolades, with Kangwa named in the Israeli Premier League Team of the Year and crowned the league’s Best Foreign Player.
Prior to his move to Israel, Kangwa enjoyed a productive spell at Red Star Belgrade, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in 56 appearances across all competitions since joining the Serbian powerhouse in 2022.
With his favored jersey number finally secured, Kangwa will be hoping the number 17 brings even more magic as he continues to shine for his club.
