Toto Tamuz

Toto Adaruns Tamuz Temile (born April 1, 1988), known simply as Toto Tamuz is a Nigerian-born Israeli football (soccer) who plays for Beitar Jerusalem FC. He is a new addition at Teddy Kollek Memorial Stadium, having joined from boyhood club Hapoel Petah Tikva FC where he had a break out first season. He scored on his full Israel national football team debut against Andorra in Euro 2008 qualifying on 6 September 2006.

Early life

Though born in Nigeria, his parents came to Israel in 1990, where his father, Nigerian footballer Clement Temile, played professional football for Beitar Nes Tubruk. When the team ran into financial dire straits, and was forced to stop paying salaries, his parents reverted to working various odd jobs. His parents left Israel in 1991 to try and find gainful employment in Nigeria or elsewhere, leaving Toto temporarily with a team mate of his father. When it became obvious that his parents were not coming back for him, Toto was adopted (unofficially) by Irit Tamuz who cared for him and raised him, which is where his Hebrew language surname derives from.

Legal status in Israel

Though most of his formulative years were spent in Israel, Toto still did not carry full Israeli citizenship. His legal status in the country was indeterminable for many years until then Deputy Interior Minister Ruhama Avraham, granted Tamuz an Israeli A1 visa granting temporary residence for a term of three years. After petitioning to FIFA, and given that he has no other citizenship, Toto received special permission to play on Israeli national teams even though he still did not possess an Israeli passport, but only an Israeli laissez-passer. After his temporary visa expired, Tamuz was unable to play for the Israeli national team until he receives full Israeli citizenship, a process which could take 3 years. The Israel Interior Office had refused attempts to fast-track his application. However his eligibility was confirmed when his case was taken to the Supreme Court and after Tamuz began the formal naturalization process he was named in the Israel squad for games against England and Estonia in March 2007. Three-months later, Tamuz was granted full citizenship along with Argentine-born Roberto Colautti after their respective applications were approved by Roni Bar-On, Minister of Internal Affairs.

Playing career

Toto started to play organized football (soccer) at Hapoel Petah Tikva FC, where he made his professional debut during the 2005/06 season in a match against FC Ashdod. His debut was electrifying and he made national headlines after scoring two goals during the match.

Beitar Jerusalem

Toto signed a deal with Ronen Katzav making him his agent. After declaring on numerous occasions that he was not interested in a big money contract, he ended up declaring his will to be transferred to Beitar Jerusalem FC citing moves made by the management of the club.

After officially signing with Beitar, Toto had to apply for visas to the Netherlands and Romania in order to join the club for their training camps since he possesses an Israeli Travel Document and not an Israeli passport which would not require visas.

International goals

Transfer

On 25 March 2007, English football club Everton F.C. submitted a transfer bid of £500k ($1,000,000) to Beitar Jerusalem for Toto Tamuz. Scottish football club Rangers F.C., England's Middlesbrough F.C., Wigan Athletic and Belgium's Club Brugge have also been rumoured to be interested in his services. Tamuz was described by a scout employed by Middlesbrough as the "Israeli Samuel Eto'o". On June 2008 FC Twente from Holland have started negotiating with Tamuz and Beitar Jerusalem FC.

In August 2008, Tamuz was approached by German club Bayern Munich and he is reported to have flown to Germany to begin negotiations.

Honours

- Ligat ha'Al:
- - Ligat ha'Al 2006-07, Ligat ha'Al 2007-08
- Israel State Cup:
- - 2008