Alban Lafont is set to join Panathinaikos in the Greek Super League on a one-year loan from FC Nantes, without an option to buy.
The 26-year-old shot-stopper, whose contract with Nantes extends until June 2027, was displaced last season and relegated to the club’s reserve squad after losing his starting position in late 2024.
Seeking to reignite his career, Lafont has now booked a fresh opportunity in Greece.
Born in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in 1999, Lafont moved to France at an early age and progressed through Toulouse’s academy before debuting in Ligue 1 at just 16, becoming the youngest goalkeeper in the division’s history.
After establishing himself at Toulouse, he transferred to Fiorentina in 2018 before returning to France with Nantes in 2019. He was signed permanently in 2021.
At Nantes, Lafont gained recognition for his leadership and performances between the posts. In the 2020–21 season, he played a vital role in steering the club clear of relegation and was rewarded with the captaincy. The following year, he helped Nantes to lift the Coupe de France, earning considerable acclaim in the process.
Despite past highs, Lafont fell from favour toward the end of the 2024 season. He last featured in Ligue 1 for Nantes in November and subsequently spent months with the reserves.
The move to Panathinaikos presents a chance for redemption—offering first-team football and a platform to rebuild confidence.
Panathinaikos sees the experienced French keeper as a solid acquisition. His technical ability, aerial command, and distribution skills make him an attractive fit for a team aiming to challenge domestically and raise its profile in continental competition.
For Lafont, the loan move represents a strategic step in reviving his career trajectory. At Panathinaikos, he will have the opportunity to regain form, secure regular minutes, and potentially reassert his value ahead of a return to France or exploring other European avenues.
A loan without an option to buy suggests that Nantes remain open to evaluating Lafont’s progress upon his return, while granting him the freedom to pursue playing time elsewhere in the interim.
This transition marks the latest chapter in a career that has seen highs such as domestic cup glory and captaincy, and challenges including displacement and public scrutiny. If Lafont can rediscover his previous consistency in Greece, this loan could prove pivotal to resurrecting his standing.
Le FC Nantes va prêter cette saison, sans option d’achat, le gardien Alban Lafont au Panathinaïkos (D1 grecque).
➡️ https://t.co/nxWbDDhM0A pic.twitter.com/mWf4FpFpQs
— L’Équipe (@lequipe) July 15, 2025
