Dudu Aouate

David "Dudu" Aouate, (, pronounced Dūdū Ahwaht; born 17 October 1977 in Nazareth Illit) is an Israeli association football goalkeeper, currently a free agent.

Playing career

Development in Israel

Aouate began his career with Hapoel Nazareth Illit, but moved to Maccabi Haifa F.C. at an early age and was put behind Nir Davidovich as the leading goalkeeping choice at the club. Wanting first team football, Aouate moved to Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC, but was again underplayed. He then transferred to Hapoel Haifa FC, having been assured that he would be the club's first choice goalkeeper, but he again found himself struggling to establish himself as such. Early in the 1998-99 season, however, the regular goalkeeper, Avi Peretz was injured and Aouate took his place. Hapoel won the championship that year and Dudu was praised for his performances. By the time Peretz recovered, Aouate was irreplaceable.

Aouate's performances for Hapoel Haifa FC saw him get called up to the Israel national football team in 1999. In 2002, Aouate returned to Maccabi Haifa F.C. as a cover for Nir Davidovich who was seriously injured. They won the championship, and Aouate established himself as the undisputed first choice goalkeeper. He also gained increasing recognition after performing fabulously for the national team, and was soon considered by many the leading goalkeeper in the country.

During the 2002-03 season, Aouate was the goalkeeper for Maccabi Haifa F.C. as they played in the UEFA Champions League, the first time an Israeli squad made it to the group stage of the competition. Haifa finished in third place in their group following a historic victory over powerhouse Manchester United F.C. In the Israeli League, Haifa finished the season in second place. Aouate's solid performances earned him a move to European football, with Spain club Racing de Santander signing him on 17 July 2003.

Move to Spain

Aouate's move to Spain was made easier by the fact that he obtained a France passport, thus not counting as a foreigner. He moved to Racing de Santander in 2003 from Maccabi Haifa and, after forcing his way into the starting line up in 2004-2005 (and playing 74 matches in his final two years) due to Ricardo López Felipe's loan return to Manchester United, Aouate signed a four-year contract with fellow La Liga outfit Deportivo de La Coruña in August 2006, in a swap deal involving three players plus 1.5 million Euros. He quickly paid back the confidence of Deportivo with an excellent season (playing in all 38 matches).

Don Balón, a Spanish football magazine, placed Aouate eighth on their list of La Liga's Footballer of the Year in 2006-2007.

In 2007-2008, in January 2008, after losing first-choice status to Uruguayan Gustavo Munúa, both goalkeepers were involved in a post-training punching session that resulted in both being suspended for the match against Villarreal CF, as well as subsequent league games.In February, due to B-team keeper Fabricio Agosto Ramírez's inexperience, both players were reinstated in the squad, with the Israeli regaining top-goalkeeping duties.

Yom Kippur controversy

In an interview with Spain's Diario AS, Aouate was asked about the significance of Yom Kippur and some general questions about the prohibitions of the holiday. Aouate added that he understood that playing football in this holiday was not allowed, but stated that if forced to play against Real Sociedad, he would. His comments swirled a huge controversy in Israel with even a member of the Shas party calling for Aouate to be removed from the national team.

Personal life

Aouate is married to Hagit Aouate and has two daughters.