PAOK complete season-long loan deal for DR Congo striker Simon Banza

Simon Banza will return to European football after PAOK Salonique confirmed the signing of the 30-year-old DR Congo international from Al Jazira.

The forward has joined the Greek club on loan for the 2026/27 season, with PAOK holding an option to make the transfer permanent for 6m euros.

Banza’s move to Greece follows his spell in the United Arab Emirates and gives him the opportunity to rebuild his career in Europe. The striker will be aiming to rediscover the form that established his reputation during his previous time on the continent.

If he impresses during the loan, PAOK can retain him beyond the end of the season by exercising the agreed purchase option. The arrangement gives the club a full campaign to assess whether Banza is the right long-term addition to their attack.

Experienced European campaigner

PAOK have recruited a forward with experience of several major European leagues. Before moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2025, Banza played in Ligue 1, Liga Portugal and Super Lig.

Those spells exposed him to different styles of football and allowed him to build considerable experience at the highest level. They also helped establish him as one of the most prominent Congolese forwards of recent years.

His arrival provides PAOK with an attacker familiar with the demands of elite European competition, while Banza will be given the chance to demonstrate that he can still perform consistently at that level.

The transfer represents a new stage in his career after his time in the United Arab Emirates. His return to Europe will offer him a platform to revive his progress, while PAOK have chosen to combine his experience with the possibility of a longer-term agreement.

The Greek club’s decision on a permanent move will depend on Banza’s performances over the coming months. The loan structure leaves both parties with time to determine whether the partnership should continue beyond the 2026/27 campaign.

PAOK are due to play Panetolikos in the fifth round of the Greek championship shortly. The listed odds for the match are 1.52 for a PAOK victory, 3.60 for a draw and 5.80 for a Panetolikos win, according to 1xbet.