Michael Chilaka

Michael Chilaka

Personal information
Date of birth	(2000-02-05) February 5, 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth	Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Forward Madison
Number	2
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
0000–2018	Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa	20	(0)
2018–2023	Maccabi Tel Aviv	0	(0)
2019–2022	→ Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam (loan)	89	(1)
2023	→ Hapoel Umm al-Fahm (loan)	9	(0)
2023	San Diego Loyal	10	(0)
2024–	Forward Madison	17	(1)
International career^‡
2017	Israel U17	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 22, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of January 10, 2024

Michael Chilaka (Hebrew: מייקל צ'ילאקה; born February 5, 2000) is an Israeli footballer who currently plays for Forward Madison FC in USL League One.

Professional career

Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa

Chilaka started his professional career with Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa of Liga Alef, Israel's third division. He made 20 appearances with their first team, as well as 27 appearances for their under-19 team.[1]

Maccabi Tel Aviv

In June 2018, Chilaka was sold by Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa to Maccabi Tel Aviv. He was subsequently signed to a three-year contract with a two-year club option.[1]

In May 2021, Chilaka's contract option was exercised for Maccabi Tel Aviv's 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons.[2]

Chilaka did not make an appearance for Maccabi's first team but made thirty appearances for their under-19 team.

Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam

From 2019 through summer 2022, Maccabi Tel Aviv sent Chilaka on loan to Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam of Liga Leumit.[3]

Chilaka, along with many other Maccabi Tel Aviv players, was recalled to the parent team after Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam was relegated after their 2021–22 season.[4] Chilaka was not sent on loan for the summer 2022 transfer window, as he had sustained a serious injury while on vacation in Greece.[5]

Hapoel Umm al-Fahm

Chilaka was sent on loan by Maccabi Tel Aviv to Hapoel Umm al-Fahm for the second half of their 2022–23 season.[3]

San Diego Loyal

After his contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv expired, Chilaka signed with San Diego Loyal of USL Championship in the United States.[6]

Forward Madison

Chilaka signed with Forward Madison of USL League One on January 10, 2024, in advance of their 2024 season.[7]

International career

Chilaka played for Israel's U-17 team, appearing in international friendlies against Ukraine and Belarus in January 2017.

Personal

Chilaka has both Israeli and Nigerian citizenship, having an Israeli mother and Nigerian father.[8]

References

1. "Michael Chilaka Joins Maccabi". Maccabi-TLV.co.il. Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. June 4, 2018. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
2. "Exercising Options in Players Contracts". Maccabi-TLV.co.il. Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. May 31, 2021. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
3. "מייקל צ'ילאקה חתם בפורוורד מדיסון בארה"ב" [Michael Chilaka signed to Forward Madison in the US]. Sport1.Maariv.co.il (in Hebrew). Sports 1. January 10, 2024. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
4. Amir, Raz (August 18, 2022). "בשקט בשקט: פרויקט "מכבי ת"א ב'" פורק הקיץ" [Quietly: The Maccabi TA B project was dismantled this summer]. Ynet.co.il (in Hebrew). Ynet. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
5. ""אכלתי דרך קשית": התאונה שעצרה את השחקן המבטיח ממכבי תל אביב" ["I ate through a straw": the accident that stopped the promising player from Maccabi Tel Aviv]. Sport5.co.il (in Hebrew). Sport 5. March 3, 2023. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
6. "SD Loyal Signs Israeli-American Defender Michael Chilaka to 2023 Roster". SDLoyal.com. San Diego Loyal SC. July 26, 2023. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
7. Wunschel, Kylie (January 10, 2024). "Forward Madison FC Sign USL Championship Defender, Michael Chilaka". ForwardMadisonFC.com. Forward Madison FC. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
8. "מייקל צ'ילאקה חתם במכבי תל אביב לשלוש שנים" [Michael Chilaka signed Maccabi Tel Aviv for three years]. One.co.il (in Hebrew). ONE. June 4, 2018. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.