Greek football powerhouse AEK Athens have officially announced the signing of Rwandan international midfielder Hakim Sahabo on a three-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2029, marking a significant milestone in the young player’s rapidly rising career.
The 20-year-old midfielder was unveiled on Monday, February 2, 2026, after successfully completing contract negotiations and passing his medical examination. Sahabo arrived in Athens late on Friday night, paving the way for the formal announcement by one of Greece’s most historic and competitive clubs.
In a statement released through its official platforms, including the club’s newspaper, AEK Athens confirmed the deal and welcomed the player warmly.
“AEK FC announces the signing of Hakim Sahabo from Standard de Liège. The player has signed a cooperation agreement with our club until the summer of 2029. Hakim, welcome to AEK. We wish you health and success with our historic team,” the club said.
To secure Sahabo’s services, AEK Athens paid €1.5 million to Belgian side Standard de Liège, an amount equivalent to over 2.6 billion Rwandan francs, underlining the club’s strong belief in the midfielder’s potential. The agreement also includes a 20 percent sell-on clause, meaning Standard de Liège will receive a share of any future transfer involving the player.
The deal represents one of the most high-profile transfers involving a Rwandan footballer in recent years and highlights the growing visibility of Rwanda’s talent pipeline in European football.
AEK Athens also detailed Sahabo’s football journey, noting that he was born on June 26, 2005, in Brussels, Belgium. His development began in Belgium’s competitive youth system, where he passed through the academies of Beerschot, Anderlecht, Genk, and Mechelen, gaining a strong technical foundation before moving abroad.
In 2020, Sahabo joined Lille OSC in France, where he continued his development within a structured academy environment. By 2022, he was promoted to Lille B, the club’s reserve team, where his performances drew attention for their maturity and tactical discipline.
A year later, he completed a move to Standard de Liège, one of Belgium’s most respected clubs. At just 18 years old, Sahabo broke into the senior team, gaining valuable experience at a high competitive level. He made 16 appearances in official competitions before being loaned to Beerschot during the second half of last season.
While on loan, Sahabo featured in 15 matches, scoring one goal and further demonstrating his ability to adapt quickly and contribute consistently in midfield. His performances earned him renewed trust upon his return to Standard de Liège last summer.
During the current season, Sahabo had established himself as a regular starter, making 14 league appearances before completing his move to Greece. His steady progression and increasing responsibility on the pitch made him an attractive target for AEK Athens as they looked to reinforce their midfield with youthful energy and long-term value.
Beyond club football, Sahabo has already built an international profile with the Rwanda national team, Amavubi. Eligible through his mother, the midfielder has earned 10 international call-ups, becoming an increasingly important figure in Rwanda’s midfield setup despite his young age.
His move to AEK Athens comes at a particularly promising time for both player and club. AEK currently sit top of the Greek Super League standings with 44 points after 18 matchdays, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the league title and domestic trophies.
This sporting context offers Sahabo immediate exposure to high-pressure matches, competitive title races, and potentially European football. Should AEK maintain their league position, the Rwandan midfielder could feature in either the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League next season, a major step forward in his career development.
For AEK Athens, the signing fits into a broader strategy of blending experience with emerging international talent. Sahabo’s versatility, tactical awareness, and calm distribution make him a valuable asset in a league known for its physical intensity and technical demands.
From a national perspective, the transfer represents a positive signal for Rwandan football. Seeing a young Amavubi international join a club of AEK’s stature strengthens Rwanda’s visibility on the European stage and provides inspiration for emerging players at home.
Football analysts note that Sahabo’s age, combined with the length of his contract, gives AEK time to develop him further while protecting the club’s investment. The inclusion of a sell-on clause also reflects Standard de Liège’s confidence that the player’s market value could rise significantly in the coming years.
As Sahabo settles into life in Athens, expectations will be balanced with patience. While competition for places at AEK is intense, the club’s current form and ambition suggest that opportunities will come for players who demonstrate consistency and tactical discipline.
For Hakim Sahabo, the move is more than a transfer it is a statement of progression, trust, and belief. At just 20 years old, he now finds himself at the heart of one of Greece’s most ambitious teams, with continental football firmly within reach.READ RELATED POST
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