Congolese striker Simon Banza joins PAOK FC on loan

The Democratic Republic of the Congo international will play for the Greek club during the 2026–2027 season.

Simon Banza is returning to Europe. The 30-year-old Congolese striker has signed for PAOK FC on a season-long loan. The agreement reached between PAOK FC and Al Jazira includes an option to buy.

If the Greek club wishes to keep the DR Congo international at the end of the 2026–2027 season, it will have to pay €6 million to secure his services on a permanent basis. With the arrival of Simon Banza in their squad, PAOK FC has signed an experienced player.

The Congolese striker is thoroughly familiar with top-flight European football. He played in several European leagues before moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2025. Simon Banza has notably played in Ligue 1, Liga Portugal and the Superliga.

The Congolese player made a name for himself in the Portuguese Primeira Liga by scoring 21 goals for SC Braga during the 2023–2024 season. In the Turkish Super Lig, he scored 19 goals for Trabzonspor at the end of the 2024–2025 season.

In his first season in the UAE League, Simon Banza made a big impression with 9 goals in 16 appearances for Al Jazira at the end of the 2025–2026 campaign.