Pierre Cornu Returns to Maccabi Haifa

Transfer Announcement

Maccabi Haifa has officially announced the signing of French defender Pierre Cornu, marking his return to the club after a brief stint at AS Saint-Étienne. The 28-year-old left Maccabi Haifa last season but has now rejoined the team on a three-year contract for a total fee of €850,000. Maccabi Haifa was required to pay only €250,000 for the defender, as Saint-Étienne had not completed the full transfer amount of €1.2 million.

Cornu’s Statement

Following the announcement, Cornu expressed his excitement about returning to Maccabi Haifa in an interview with the club’s official website. “I am coming back home. A year ago, I left Maccabi Haifa, but my heart never really left. This club, this city, and especially you, the fans, were with me all the time. Coming back to Maccabi means everything to me. It’s not just football; it’s family. I am coming back hungrier, with more love and determination than ever. I am here to fight for Maccabi, for the club, and to recreate the experiences and successes we had in the past. Yalla Maccabi!”

Scout’s Insights

Chief scout Lior Raphaelov shared his views on Cornu’s return: “We all recognize Pierre’s professional abilities. We know how much he will add to Maccabi Haifa both on and off the pitch. I was pleased to see Pierre’s passion for Maccabi Haifa during our discussions and his strong desire to return here. I wish him great success; he has an essential role for us in the coming years.”

Previous Achievements and Experience

Before leaving for France, Cornu spent two successful seasons with Maccabi Haifa, where he helped the team win the championship in his first year and was an integral part of the Champions League campaign that concluded in the group stage. During his second season, he contributed to the team’s progression to the knockout stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League, where they were halted by Fiorentina.

Cornu, who was born in Montpellier, has played for several clubs, including Dijon, Mallorca, Oviedo, Ibiza, and Sabadell, before joining Maccabi Haifa. In his last season with Saint-Étienne, he made 11 league appearances and played two matches in the preliminary rounds of the Conference League, recording two assists.

As part of his first term at Maccabi Haifa, Cornu has made a total of 94 appearances, scoring once and providing 15 assists. He celebrated a championship title during the 2022/23 season under coach Barak Bachar and won the Supercup with coach Mazi Dago. With Diego Flores now taking the helm, Cornu looks forward to a fresh chapter at Sammy Ofer Stadium