Moroccan-Belgian winger Anass Zaroury has joined Columbus Crew from Panathinaikos on loan, completing a move to Major League Soccer that runs until 30 June 2027.
The 25-year-old left winger moves to the United States after spending the opening weeks of the 2026-27 campaign with Panathinaikos. The transfer was completed on 3 September, with Zaroury switching from Greece’s Super League 1 to the MLS.
Zaroury made four appearances in the Conference League qualifying campaign for Panathinaikos this season, starting two of those matches and playing 233 minutes in total. He also featured five times in the Super League play-offs during the previous campaign, accumulating 193 minutes.
He had only joined Panathinaikos permanently from Lens on 1 July 2026 in a €2.7m transfer. That move followed a season-long loan spell at the Greek club in 2025-26, after which he returned briefly to Lens before making the permanent switch.
Zaroury originally moved to Lens from Burnley in August 2024 for €5m. During his time in England, he also spent part of the 2023-24 season on loan at Hull City. He joined Burnley from Belgian club Charleroi in August 2022 for €4.2m and helped the club win the English second tier in the 2022-23 season.
Born in Mechelen, Belgium, Zaroury represents Morocco internationally and is listed at 1.76m tall. The right-footed forward began his senior career with Lommel before moving to Charleroi, and has since played in Belgium, England, France and Greece.
His move to Columbus is the latest stage of a career that has included permanent transfers as well as loan spells across several European leagues. The winger’s market value is listed at €7m, while his highest recorded value was €12m.
Zaroury has now joined Columbus Crew on loan from Panathinaikos through 30 June 2027.
