Hakim Sahabo completes €1.5 Million Move to AEK Athens
Rwandan international midfielder Hakim Sahabo has completed a €1.5 million transfer from Belgian top-flight side Standard de Liège to Greek giants AEK Athens, marking the highest-valued transfer in the history of Rwandan football.
The 20-year-old joins AEK Athens after weeks of negotiations, with the Greek Super League leaders emerging ahead of several interested clubs. Sahabo had attracted strong attention across Europe, including from Scottish powerhouse Rangers F.C., whose offer of under €1 million was rejected by Standard de Liège during the January transfer window.
Sahabo’s contract with Standard de Liège was set to expire in June 2026, placing the Belgian club under pressure to either secure a renewal or cash in on the promising midfielder. AEK Athens reportedly met Standard’s valuation, agreeing to a fee of €1.5 million—approximately 2.6 billion Rwandan francs—making the deal a landmark moment for Rwandan football.
The move sees Sahabo join one of Greece’s most competitive sides. AEK Athens currently sits at the top of the Greek Super League table with 44 points after 18 matchdays and is strengthening its squad as it pushes for domestic success and continental ambitions.
During his time at Standard de Liège, Sahabo made 34 appearances, amassing 1,635 minutes across competitions. While he demonstrated clear potential and maturity beyond his age, the midfielder struggled to secure a consistent starting role, a factor believed to have influenced his decision to seek a new challenge.
For Sahabo, the transfer represents a major step forward in his career, offering the prospect of regular first-team football at a high level, while also setting a new benchmark for Rwandan players on the international transfer market.
