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Nir Bitton

Nir Bitton is an Israeli former footballer who played as a centre-back and defensive midfielder, mainly for Celtic in Scotland, and captained the Israel national team.

born 1991Playing for Celtic18 trophies with CelticCaptaining Israel's national team

Born: 30 October 1991, Ashdod
Occupation: association football player, association football coach

Nir Bitton was born in 1991 in Ashdod

Bitton was born on 30 October 1991 in Ashdod, where he grew up. His family is of Sephardi and Mizrahi Jewish descent. He married Bar Shimon in 2014.

He came through the youth system of SC Ashdod and made his Israeli Premier League debut on 25 April 2009. In 2012 a planned move to Manchester City did not go ahead. He played 121 games for Ashdod and scored 14 goals.

In 2013 he signed with Celtic, where he played 245 games and sometimes served as captain. With the club he won 8 league titles, 4 Scottish Cups and 6 League Cups. He left Celtic in 2022.

He then joined Maccabi Tel Aviv and won the Israeli league with the club. In 2025 he returned to SC Ashdod, and in 2026 he began coaching the team before becoming assistant coach.

For Israel he made his senior debut against Uruguay in 2010 and scored his first goal against Andorra in 2015. He first wore the captain's armband in 2016.