Panathinaikos FC announces the signing of Moussa Sissoko from English side Watford. The French midfielder has signed a contract lasting 1.5 years and is the club’s sixth winter transfer addition.
Moussa Sissoko was born on August 16, 1989, in Le Blanc-Mesnil, France. He began his football journey at the Esperance Aulnay academy, and at the age of 14 he was spotted by scouts from Toulouse. Before even turning 18, he had signed his first professional contract and made his debut in Ligue 1! His progress was steadily upward, as he was considered one of France’s top young footballers. At 18, he was already a key and indispensable player at Toulouse, featuring in European competitions and playing for France’s U19 national team. At 20, he received his first call-up to the French senior national team. Toulouse managed to keep him until January 2013, when he was sold to Newcastle United.
During his 3.5 years with the “Magpies,” Sissoko worked among others with the current coach of our team, Rafa Benítez. In the summer of 2016, Newcastle transferred him to Tottenham for £30 million. His rise continued at Spurs, where he became a regular starter throughout the club’s impressive run to the Champions League final in 2018–19. In 2021, he moved to Watford, continuing in the Premier League. One year later, he returned to France with Nantes, where he spent two seasons alongside Lafont and Chirivella. In 2024, he returned to Watford, now competing in the Championship, remaining there until his transfer to Panathinaikos.
Sissoko has made 71 appearances and scored two goals for France, featuring in the 2014 World Cup and the European Championships of 2016 (runner-up) and 2020. He was also part of the squad that won the Nations League in 2021. At Panathinaikos, he will wear shirt number 17.
We welcome Moussa to the Panathinaikos family!
