Panathinaikos FC announces the signing of Azzedine Ounahi. The 26-year-old Moroccan midfielder, a firm favourite among the Green faithful, has returned to the club on a permanent transfer from Spanish side Girona. He has signed a four-year contract and arrives to further strengthen the team in its quest to return to the summit.
Azzedine Ounahi was born in Casablanca on 19 April 2000. He took his first steps in football with Raja Casablanca, before joining the renowned Mohammed VI Academy. In 2018, he moved to France to join Strasbourg. Two years later, he continued his career with Avranches and, in the summer of 2021, with his reputation beginning to grow, he made the step up to the top flight of French football by signing for Angers. He found the net on his Ligue 1 debut against Lyon, beginning a two-year spell during which he established himself at the highest level of French football.
His outstanding performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup attracted interest from several major European clubs, and in January 2023 he joined Marseille. He scored on his debut against Nantes, while the following season (2023–24) he played a leading role in Marseille’s run to the Europa League semi-finals.
In September 2024, Ounahi joined Panathinaikos on a season-long loan. He quickly won the hearts of the Green faithful, while he himself developed a deep affection for the club. He made 37 appearances, scored five spectacular goals, provided seven assists and produced countless moments of footballing magic.
Despite Panathinaikos’ efforts in the summer of 2025, it was not possible for him to continue wearing the green shirt. He moved to Girona, where he also excelled, delivering a series of outstanding performances in La Liga. One year later, however, Panathinaikos and Ounahi are reunited, because their bond was about far more than a professional contract. It was a bond forged from the heart…
Ounahi’s journey with Morocco’s national team represents a special chapter in his career. He made his international debut at the beginning of 2022 and, just a few months later, was a key member of the side that made history at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Ounahi produced a series of superb displays throughout the tournament and played a decisive role in Morocco’s remarkable run to fourth place—the best-ever finish by an African nation at a World Cup. He was particularly influential in the round-of-16 match against Spain and the quarter-final against Portugal, emerging as one of the leading figures in Morocco’s historic campaign.
Four years later, he was once again present at the greatest football tournament on the planet. He was selected for Morocco’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and once again left his mark. In the round of 16, he scored the opening two goals in a 3–0 victory over Canada, leading his country into the quarter-finals. He has made 55 appearances for Morocco, scoring 11 goals.
We warmly welcome Azzedine back to Panathinaikos family.
