Samy Mmaee: Morocco defender joins Pafos on loan from Dinamo Zagreb

Morocco-Belgium centre-back Samy Mmaee has joined Cypriot side Pafos on loan from Dinamo Zagreb. The 29-year-old defender moves to the Cyprus League club for the 2026-27 season in a deal completed on 12 July.

Mmaee, who stands at 1.88m and plays primarily as a right-footed centre-back, arrives from Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb, whom he joined on a free transfer from Ferencvaros in 2024. His contract with Pafos runs until 31 May 2027, with the move officially registered as a loan transfer from the Croatian club.

The defender has built up extensive experience across European competitions. He has featured in Champions League and Europa League matches, including qualifying rounds, as well as the Europa Conference League, amassing more than 4,500 minutes in Hungarys top flight alone and over 3,000 minutes in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League earlier in his career.

Before his switch to Cyprus, Mmaee spent time on loan at Qarabag from Dinamo Zagreb, playing in the Azerbaijan Premier League and domestic cup, after winning a move to Central Europe with Ferencvaros following a spell at Sint-Truiden. His early senior years included stints with Standard Liege and Dutch side MVV Maastricht.

Currently valued at around 450,000, Mmaee brings both height and top-flight experience in several European leagues to Pafos back line. The agreement will see him return to Dinamo Zagreb at the end of the 2026-27 campaign when the loan expires.