Rwandan international midfielder Hakim Sahabo has arrived in the Greek capital, Athens, as he moves closer to completing a high-profile transfer to AEK Athens F.C., one of the most successful and competitive clubs in Greek football.
The 20-year-old touched down at Athens International Airport late on Friday night, January 30, 2026, heading into Saturday, after traveling from Belgium, where he had been playing for Standard de Liège. His arrival signals the final stage of negotiations before officially signing a contract that will see him begin a new chapter in his rapidly developing European career.
According to reliable sources close to the deal, AEK Athens won the race for Sahabo’s signature after agreeing to pay €1.5 million, a fee equivalent to more than 2.6 billion Rwandan francs. The agreement also includes a 20 percent sell-on clause, ensuring that Standard de Liège will benefit financially should the midfielder be sold again in the future.
This transfer marks a significant step forward not only for Sahabo personally, but also for Rwandan football, as one of its brightest young talents secures a move to a club competing regularly at the highest level in European football.
Before choosing AEK Athens, Sahabo had attracted interest from several established clubs across Europe. Among the teams monitoring his situation were Rangers F.C. of Scotland, as well as Italian Serie A sides Atalanta and Bologna. Despite the competition, AEK Athens demonstrated the strongest commitment, meeting both the player’s ambitions and the financial expectations of Standard de Liège.
Standard de Liège had been open to a transfer, particularly as Sahabo’s contract was approaching its final phase. With limited guarantees of regular playing time in Belgium, both parties agreed that a move would be beneficial, allowing the midfielder to restart his progression in a new environment with clearer sporting objectives.
AEK Athens represents a major opportunity. The club is currently top of the Greek Super League standings with 44 points after 18 matches, placing them in a strong position to challenge for domestic titles and secure qualification for European competitions. Joining a team competing for trophies immediately increases Sahabo’s exposure and competitive level.
At AEK, Sahabo is expected to compete for a place in midfield, a department that demands tactical discipline, physical intensity, and technical intelligence. His versatility, ability to cover ground, and calmness in possession are qualities that attracted the Greek champions, who see him as both an immediate option and a long-term investment.
An added advantage for Sahabo is the presence of Răzvan Marin, a familiar face from his time at Standard de Liège. The Romanian international’s presence could ease Sahabo’s adaptation to life in Greece, both on and off the pitch, helping him settle quickly into the squad and dressing room culture.
Sahabo joined Standard de Liège in 2023, initially featuring for the club’s reserve side, SL16 FC, before earning promotion to the senior team. His journey through the Belgian club reflected patience and steady development rather than instant stardom, as he gradually adapted to European football’s physical and tactical demands.
In total, Sahabo made 34 appearances across all competitions, accumulating 1,635 minutes of playing time. Although he showed promise, consistent starts were hard to come by in a competitive squad, prompting a six-month loan move to Beerschot. While the loan offered experience, it did not fully resolve his need for regular first-team football.
The lack of consistent minutes ultimately played a key role in the decision to part ways. Both Sahabo and Standard de Liège recognized that continued growth required a new challenge, one that would place greater trust and responsibility on the young midfielder.
From a broader perspective, the transfer highlights the increasing value of African midfielders in European leagues beyond the traditional powerhouses. Greek clubs, in particular, have become more aggressive in recruiting young, technically gifted players with resale potential, and Sahabo fits that profile perfectly.
For Rwanda, Sahabo’s move is another encouraging sign of the national team’s growing presence on the international stage. He has already been called up nine times to the senior national team, Amavubi, demonstrating the faith placed in him at a young age. However, his recent absence from selections has sparked discussion.
Reports have suggested that his reduced involvement with the national team in recent months stemmed largely from communication issues and disagreements with coaching staff, rather than a lack of ability. A strong run of form at AEK Athens could reignite his international career and place him back in contention for a regular starting role.
Playing at a club competing for silverware and European qualification could significantly strengthen Sahabo’s case. Regular exposure in high-pressure matches often proves decisive in national team selections, especially for young players seeking to establish themselves as long-term options.
From a sporting standpoint, the Greek Super League offers a demanding but balanced environment. Matches are tactical, physically intense, and played in passionate atmospheres, conditions that can accelerate a player’s development. For Sahabo, this represents an ideal testing ground at a critical stage of his career.
Financially, the transfer also sends a positive signal. A €1.5 million fee for a 20-year-old Rwandan midfielder underscores growing confidence in talent emerging from the country and the region. The inclusion of a sell-on clause further reflects Standard de Liège’s belief that Sahabo’s market value could rise significantly.
As he prepares to finalize his contract, expectations are high but realistic. Sahabo is not arriving as a finished product, but as a player with strong foundations, room to grow, and the hunger to prove himself at a higher level.
If the deal is completed as expected, Hakim Sahabo will officially become one of the few Rwandan players to feature prominently in Greek top-flight football. His journey from Rwanda to Belgium and now Greece illustrates a career built on gradual progress, resilience, and ambition.
All eyes will now be on AEK Athens’ official announcement and Sahabo’s first appearances in yellow and black, as both club and country look forward to the next phase of a promising football story.
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