Columbus add Morocco-Belgian winger Anass Zaroury on loan from Panathinaikos

Anass Zaroury has joined Columbus from Panathinaikos on loan, giving the MLS club a new Morocco-Belgian option on the left wing. The move was completed on 3 September and runs until 30 June 2027.

The 25-year-old switches to the United States after a short spell with Panathinaikos, having made five appearances in the Greek Super League play-offs and four in Conference League qualifying during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 campaigns. He did not score in those appearances.

Zaroury joined Panathinaikos from Lens on 1 July 2026 in a €2.7m permanent transfer. His time in France followed a loan spell at the Greek club during the 2025-26 season, before Lens brought him back at the end of that campaign.

The winger previously played for Burnley, helping the club win the English second tier in the 2022-23 season. He moved to Burnley from Belgian side R Charleroi SC in August 2022 for €4.2m.

Zaroury began his senior career with Lommel SK, initially joining the Belgian club from SVZW U21 on a free transfer in July 2019. He also had a loan spell with Lommel before returning to Charleroi in January 2021.

Born in Mechelen, Zaroury holds Moroccan and Belgian nationality. He is listed as a left winger and is right-footed, while his move to Columbus represents a switch from Greece’s Super League 1 to Major League Soccer.

His contract with Panathinaikos remains relevant to the arrangement, with the transfer record showing his return to the Greek club at the end of the loan period on 30 June 2027. Columbus have therefore secured Zaroury’s services for the 2026-27 season without a permanent transfer fee being recorded.

Zaroury has now completed his loan move from Panathinaikos to Columbus, where his agreement is scheduled to run through 30 June 2027.