Democratic Republic of Congo striker Simon Banza has returned to European football jin88bet.one after joining Greek club PAOK on loan from Al-Jazira.
The 30-year-old forward has moved to the Greek Super League side for one ak168app.baby season, with an option to make the transfer permanent.
PAOK have officially confirmed Banza’s arrival as they look to strengthen their attack, with the club currently sitting second in the Greek league.
Banza spent the previous season ak168app.club in the United Arab Emirates with Al-Jazira after leaving European football in the summer of 2025.
His move to PAOK represents a return to the continent where he established himself as a p ks168app.site rolific striker, particularly during his time in Portugal and Turkey.
The Congolese forward made his name in Portugal with Famalicão and Braga before moving to Trabzonspor in Turkey.
His spell ic88 at Trabzonspor was particularly productive. Playing on loan from Braga, Banza scored 22 goals and provided seven assists in 37 ic88 matches for the Turkish club.
He also scored 23 league goals for Braga during the 2023-24 season, further strengthening his reputation as one of the forwards attracting attention in the European market.
After his time in Portugal and Turkey, Banza moved away from E ic88 urope in 2025 when he signed for Al-Jazira in the United Arab Emirates.
One year later, he has secured a return to Europe ic88 an football with PAOK.
The Greek club have given Banza the number 24 shirt as he begins his latest challenge in the Super League.
Reports from Turkey suggest the purchase option includ lr88 ed in the agreement is worth about €4m, although PAOK’s announcement confirmed only that the deal includes an option to buy.
Banza joins a PAOK side competing near the top of the Greek leagu lr88 e and aiming to maintain its challenge for the leading positions.
However, the striker will ha lr88 ve to compete for a starting place in an attack that already has several options.
One of the players Banza will encounter at PAOK is Senegalese forward Chérif Ndiaye.
The presence of Ndiay lr88 e adds an African dimension to the competition for places in the Greek club’s attack, with the two forwards expected to compete for opportunities under the PAOK coaching staff.
For Banza, the move p op88 rovides an opportunity to revive the form that made him a notable striker in European football.
His record at Trabzonspor remains the clearest indication of his goalscoring ability, with 22 goals in 37 official appearances during his loan spell.
His earl si88 ier performances in Portugal, including his 23 league goals for Braga in the 2023-24 campaign, had also establis 88v hed him as a forward capable of producing consistently in European competition.
Banza’s career has taken him across several leagues and countries, including France, Luxembourg, Turkey, Portugal and the Un SEXXXXX-VN ited Arab Emirates.
He will now add Greece to that list as he begins his first season with PAOK.
