The protracted negotiations to finalise Ghana striker Kwame Peprah's transfer to Israel's Ligat Ha'Al with Hapoel Hadera included weeks-long discussions to secure his release from Soweto giants Orlando Pirates.
The writing was already on the wall that the Ghana striker's time at Pirates was up following events from the past season that ultimately led to him being loaned out to Maritzburg United.
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Six appearances in the first half of last season (2022/23) led Peprah being moved to Maritzburg where his fortunes didn't improve much.
The 22-year-old scored on debut for the Team of Choice but that was to be the only goal he scored in 14 appearances.
This was a heavy drop from the encouraging run of nine goals in 38 appearances in his first season which had then prompted interest from clubs abroad.
Offers stretching up to R8,5 million were tabled for a permanent transfer at that time while R1,7 million also came in for a loan proposal but The Bucs chose to hold on to the West African.
Interesting was the fact that Pirates had paid R2.8 million for Peprah's transfer from King Faisal in 2021.
However, at the end of his second year at Pirates, Peprah was no longer needed with the club having done well minus his contribution.
When Peprah packed up to head back home after featuring in the promotion/relegation play-offs his fate had long been sealed and merely needing formalisation.
His handlers had already started pursuing other options while awaiting the final word from Pirates.
The process of getting Peprah out of his contract at Pirates initially came with difficulties but common ground was ultimately reached with a mutual termination.
Another issue at hand is that the forceful striker's package wasn't the best at Pirates.
This website has now been told that he has signed the contract that Peprah has signed in Israel and has an option of vastly improving his earnings should he deliver goals.
So far, Peprah has scored once in the single appearance that he has made for Hapoel Hadera in the Toto Cup, the third most important competition in Israeli football.
While he never managed to play from start to finish throughout last season, Peprah was able to play 90 minutes when making his debut for Hadera on Sunday.
"The shekel (Israeli currency) is stronger than the rand so that is a plus for his earnings because is being paid in a currency of greater value.
"It is a deal that will make him work for his earnings and that means he must play matches and score goals.
"Kwame has no issues with working for his earnings because he believes he can do the job when given the opportunity," says a source.
In joining Hapoel Hadera, Peprah will become one of six non-Israeli nationals that the club is allowed to register.
Peprah has signed a one-year deal with an option of a second year.
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