Rising Rwanda star Hakim Sahabo completes transfer to Greek club AEK

Rwanda national team midfielder Hakim Sahabo will continue his club career in Greece after the Belgian-born player’s arrival was confirmed by AEK Athens.

 

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It is a big step in the club career of the Brussels native, who will look to establish himself in Greece after struggling to secure regular playing time in his country of birth.

The 20-year-old arrives for a transfer fee of €1.5 million after making 73 appearances for Standard Liège, Standard’s reserve team in the second and third tier of Belgian football as well as for Jupiler Pro League side Beerschot on loan last season.

Notably, Sahabo also spent time with French club Lille where he finished his youth career and appeared for the club’s reserve team in the lower divisions of French football during the 2021-22 season.

After struggling to make an impact during his 14 appearances for Standard this season, he was downgraded to the periphery of the squad following an injury and the emergence of other options.

AEK are enjoying an excellent campaign, sitting at the top of the Super League Greece table with a one-point lead over PAOK. They also performed well in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League, qualifying directly to the Round of 16 after finishing third on the league phase table.

A versatile central midfielder who can operate in both attacking and defensive roles, Sahabo will have to continue to fight for playing time at his new club but will be seen as a player for the future. The club’s next match in the Super League will be on Sunday when they travel to face bottom side Panserraikos.

Born in Belgium to a Burundian father and a Rwandan mother, Sahabo elected to represent Rwanda and made his debut for Amavubi (the Wasps) at the age of 17 in a friendly match against Sudan on November 17, 2022. He emerged as a regular contributor during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and has made 12 appearances for Amavubi between FIFA and unofficial matches.