EuroChallenge

Yotam Shiran averaged 16.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game at the U20 European Championship Division B in 2010

Maccabi Haifa have reached agreement on a deal that will bring young Israeli Yotam Shiran to the club next season.

Shiran, 20, played for his country at the U20 European Championship Division B last year in Austria, averaging better than 16 points and five rebounds per game as Israel came in fifth.

He has been playing for Hapoel Beeri in Israel's National League this season.

Haifa announced on their website: "The player of the Atuda Team has signed with Tivon for this season and with Maccabi Haifa for next season, with a preemption right of Haifa for another season."

Shauna S. Arnon, the chairman of Maccabi Haifa, said: "The long-term signing of Yotam Shiran is part of our policy of signing the stars of tomorrow."

Haifa led for much of their home game against Lukoil Academic this week in the EuroChallenge Last 16 before falling victim to a 26-1 run that began at the end of the third quarter and lasted deep into the fourth.

The club will remain in the country and take on Barak Netanya next week in the EuroChallenge.