Kings Kangwa: Zambia midfielder joins Panathinaikos from Hapoel Beer Sheva in €3.8m deal

Panathinaikos have signed Zambia midfielder Kings Kangwa from Hapoel Beer Sheva in a €3.8m permanent transfer. The 27-year-old central midfielder has agreed a contract with the Greek Super League side until 30 June 2030.

Kangwa arrives in Athens after an outstanding spell in Israel, where he was named Footballer of the Year in 2026 following a 12-goal season for Hapoel Beer Sheva. He helped the club win the Israeli league title in 2025-26, having already lifted the Israeli Cup in 2024-25 and the Israel Super Cup in 2025-26.

The Kasama-born player, who stands at 1.70m and is right-footed, moves to Greece off the back of strong recent form in European qualifiers. He scored once and provided one assist in two UEFA Champions League qualifying matches this season, directly contributing to two-thirds of his team’s goals in that run. He also found the net in his only league appearance of the current campaign before sealing his move.

Kangwa joined Hapoel Beer Sheva in July 2024 from Red Star Belgrade, where he enjoyed a highly successful spell, winning back-to-back Serbian league and cup doubles in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and finishing as top scorer in the 2022-23 Serbian Cup with three goals. His earlier career included moves from Zambian side Buildcon FC to Arsenal Tula and then to Red Star.

By securing Kangwa on a long-term deal, Panathinaikos have added a title-winning central midfielder with a proven scoring record from deep to their squad.