Official : Hapoel Tel Aviv Release Super Eagles Defender Francis Benjamin

Hapoel Tel Aviv have mutually terminated the contract binding them with Nigeria international Francis Benjamin, less than three months after appending his signature to a one - year deal.

The Heartland defender has regretted his decision to join the Reds instead of Ironi Kiryat Shmona, who had seriously courted him in the January transfer window only for the deal to collapse few hours before the close of the market.

“I made a very big mistake when I got to Hapoel. I came to this club that I followed in recent years.

“I preferred it to Kiryat Shmona because I thought it a better place, but I made a terrible mistake. I should have been in Kiryat Shmona, sure, there was a lot better for me,” says Francis Benjamin to Sports Walla.

It has been reported that the wing - back fell out with the coach after he was caught sleeping during a team meeting, but this has been denied by the Nigerian.

“Nonsense. I did not sleep at all. It was a big misunderstanding. Had a meeting and the coach thought I fell asleep.

“He asked me if I was sleeping, so I told him no, he believed me and there it was over, at least for me,” he concluded.

Francis Benjamin recorded three appearances in the Israeli topflight before he was released.

Photo Credit : hapoelta-fc.co.il