Oscar Gloukh

Oscar Gloukh (sometimes Gloch or Gluh, אוסקר גלוך; born April 1, 2004) is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Austrian Bundesliga club RB Salzburg and the Israel national team.

Early life
Gloukh was born and raised in Rehovot, Israel; to his father Maxim Gloukh, a former footballer who immigrated from Russia to Israel as a 13 year old.

Maccabi Tel Aviv
Gloukh made his senior debut with Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv on 8 August 2021 at the 1–1 draw against Hapoel Jerusalem at the Israeli Toto Cup (7–6 to Hapoel Jerusalem after penalties).

On 11 April 2022 he also made his senior Israeli Premier League club line-up debut for Maccabi Tel Aviv at the 1–1 draw against Maccabi Haifa, where he scored his debut senior goal in the 28th minute.

Red Bull Salzburg
On 27 January 2023, Gloukh was acquired by Austrian Bundesliga champions Red Bull Salzburg for €7 million and signed a 4.5-year contract.

Gloukh netted a goal in the 51st minute of his UEFA Champions League debut, on 20 September 2023; in a match against Portuguese side Benfica, where Gloukh managed to secure a 0–2 away win for Salzburg. This made him the then youngest Israeli footballer ever to score in the Champions League, at the age of 19.

International career
Gloukh has capped for the Israel under-19 team since 2021, and took part in its qualification to the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship for the second time in its history. Gloukh scored 4 goals (third best goalscorer) and made 2 assists, including a goal in the final match against England, a match which ended in a 1–3 defeat after extra time. Gloukh was named as one of the championship's best performers by ESPN, and was named in UEFA's "Team of the Tournament". Gloukh's strike for his native Israel in the final against England, has also earned him the "UEFA 2022 Under-19 EURO Goal of the Tournament".

Gloukh has also been part of the Israel under-21 team, capping his debut on 2 June 2022, and took part in its qualification to the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship for the third time in Israel's history.

In November 2022, Gloukh was first called-up to play for the seniors' Israel national team ahead of the home friendly matches against Zambia and Cyprus. On 17 November, he made his debut, coming on as a substitute, in a 4–2 victory over Zambia. Three days later, Gloukh both started in the Israeli line-up against Cyprus, as well as scored his first senior international goal.

In June of 2023, Gloukh featured in the Israel national team squad for their 2024 European Qualifier against Belarus. Gloukh came off the bench in the 57th minute and would go on to score his first Senior goal, in an official UEFA competition, in 90' + 1' to win the match.

2024 Summer Olympics
Gloukh was selected in the squad to compete in the men's football tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Personal life
Gloukh was best friends with Afik Tery, who played for Israeli Premier League team Sektzia Ness Ziona. Tery was killed on 1 March 2024 while serving with the Israeli Defence Force in Khan Yunis during the Israel–Hamas war.

International
International goals

Honours
Red Bull Salzburg
 * Austrian Bundesliga: 2022–23

Individual
 * UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2022
 * UEFA European Under-19 Championship Goal of the Tournament: 2022