Shavy Babicka has completed a transfer to Red Star Belgrade after 18 months with French side Toulouse, signing a contract that will keep him at the Serbian champions until June 2029.
The Gabon international arrived at Toulouse during the 2024 winter transfer window from Cypriot club Aris Limassol. During his time in Ligue 1, the 24-year-old made 45 appearances, scoring five goals and providing two assists.
Though not always a regular starter, Babicka impressed fans with his pace and tenacity, particularly at the start of the 2024–25 season.
He made an explosive impact early in that campaign, netting three goals in the opening four matches of Ligue 1. That run briefly earned him the distinction of being the most decisive substitute in European football at the time.
However, his form dipped in the latter part of the season under manager Carles Martinez Novell. Babicka started only 32 percent of league matches overall, and a poor performance in a 3–2 defeat to Marseille in April saw him lose his place in the starting lineup for the remainder of the season.
Red Star Belgrade, known as FK Crvena Zvezda in Serbian, have now secured Babicka’s services in a deal worth €4 million excluding bonuses. This represents a profitable piece of business for Toulouse, who had signed him for €2.75 million just a year and a half earlier.
The move marks a significant new chapter in Babicka’s career. Red Star, currently leading the Serbian SuperLiga, are a regular presence in European competition and will soon face Polish side Lech Poznań in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. For Babicka, this transfer presents a major opportunity to re-establish his form and showcase his talent on a larger continental stage.
At 24, he now joins a club steeped in history and ambition. Red Star Belgrade, former European Cup winners, are aiming to return to the Champions League group stage, and Babicka’s dynamism on the flanks could prove to be a valuable asset in their campaign.
The challenge ahead is clear: regain consistency, make a decisive impact, and contribute to the club’s domestic and European ambitions.
With this move, Babicka becomes the latest African talent to take on a new European challenge, leaving behind the familiarity of Ligue 1 for the intense atmosphere of Serbian football. Red Star’s faith in the Gabonese winger suggests belief in his ability to deliver on a bigger stage.
