OBITUARY: Avi Cohen (1956-2010)

• by Soccer America , Dec 30, 2010

Avi Cohen, the first Israeli player to play in England’s top league, died Wednesday from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident last week.

Cohen, the longtime captain of the Israeli national team, was one the first Israeli players to sign for a major European team when he joined Liverpool in 1979 and scored both a goal for the Reds -- his only goal in 24 appearances -- and an own goal in the game against Aston Villa that clinched the 1980 First Division title.

Cohen, whose  son Tamir plays for Bolton Wanderers, returned to Israel to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv and later played for Glasgow Rangers.

His motorcycle  was hit by a car near the Ramat Gan Diamond Exchange, leaving him with severe brain damage.