Chipolopolo midfielder Kings Kangwa completed a transfer to Greek side Panathinaikos FC, joining them from Israeli champions Hapoel Be’er Sheva for €4 million.
He joins the Stoiximan Super League outfit following a successful two-year stint in Israel, where he won the Israeli Premier League, State Cup and Super Cup titles.
It is not the first time clubs have flexed their financial muscles to secure the services of a Zambian player. BolaNews reveals the list of the most expensive Zambian footballers ever.
5. Emmanuel Mayuka (€4 million – Young Boys to Southampton)
During the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, Mayuka scored three goals, the joint-most in the tournament, as Zambia emerged champions. His glorious winning strike vs. Ghana in the semifinals is still fresh in the memory of the Zambian faithful.
In the aftermath of the tournament, Premier League side Southampton paid €4 million to BSC Young Boys to bring Mayuka to St Mary’s Stadium. That fee set a Zambian transfer record that stood for almost a decade.
Mayuka, made only 16 league appearances without scoring a goal before leaving the club permanently in 2015.
4. Kings Kangwa (€4 million – Hapoel Be’er Sheva to Panathinaikos FC)
At Red Star Belgrade, Kangwa struggled before he left Serbia for Israel, joining Hapoel Be’er Sheva for €800,000 in 2024. He scored 29 goals and 20 assists in 84 matches while winning three titles.
Sakala-highest paid Zambian player.
The 2025-26 Israeli Player of the Season Award winner was wanted by multiple clubs in Europe. It was Panathinaikos who met his price tag, signing him for €4 million to bolster their midfield.
The Greek side is ranked 12th in Europe, an upgrade from the 25th ranked Israeli topflight. He will also be on the books of a side competing in the UEFA Conference League.
3. Fashion Sakala Jr. (€4.65 million – Rangers FC to Al Fayha)
Rangers FC sold Sakala to Saudi Pro League outfit Al Fayha for €4.65 million in 2023.
He extended his contract with the club to 2029 and is reported to earn $4 million per season, making him the highest paid Zambian footballer.
2. Enock Mwepu (€23 million – RB Salzburg to Brighton & Hove Albion)
In 2021, Premier League’s Brighton & Hove Albion landed one of Europe’s highly rated young midfielders, Enock Mwepu, acquiring him from RB Salzburg for €23 million.
The midfielder hit the ground running in England, scoring impressive goals against heavyweights Liverpool and Arsenal.
In unfortunate circumstances, Mwepu prematurely retired from the game in October 2022 aged 24 due to a hereditary heart condition.
- Patson Daka (€30 million – RB Salzburg to Leicester City)
In the summer of 2021, Leicester City paid €30 million to sign him from Austrian Bundesliga side RB Salzburg. They shattered the Zambian record transfer fee in the process.
Daka at a record-breaking season with Salzburg, netting 27 league goals in 28 games to bag the Golden Boot. At Leicester City, he scored 29 goals in 165 games, while winning the FA Community Shield and EFL Championship titles.
After spending five years with the Foxes, Daka left as a free agent before joining Hamburger SV of the German Bundesliga for the 2026-27 season.
READ ALSO : EXCLUSIVE: Kangwa Set for €4 Million Move to Greek Giants Panathinaikos.
