After Four Years At Watford, Imran Louza Officially Joins Panathinaikos

Imrân Louza has completed a move to Panathinaikos, with the Greek club confirming the signing on 28 August 2026 after agreeing a deal worth around £7 million with Watford. The transfer ends a four-year spell in England and places the Moroccan midfielder in Super League Greece, where he registered with his new club on the day of the announcement.

The move followed a rapid sequence of events. Greek media first linked Louza with Panathinaikos around 25 August 2026, pointing to the club’s search for midfield reinforcement. Talks progressed quickly, and an agreement in principle between Panathinaikos, Watford and the player was reported just a day later, on 26 August. Louza flew to Athens that same evening to finalize terms. Medical and ergometric tests followed on 27 August, clearing the way for the contract signing and official confirmation the next day.

Contract details vary slightly depending on the source. English and French outlets describe a four-year deal, while Greek reports frame it as a 3+1-year structure. His salary is estimated at around €1 million per year. Louza’s previous Watford contract ran until 2028, which explains the size of the compensation package required to secure an early exit. Reported fees range from £6.8 million to €7 million, with French sources citing up to €8 million including add-ons.

Born on 1 May 1999, Louza came through the ranks at FC Nantes, where he made his Ligue 1 debut and developed into a regular midfielder. He played 66 league matches for the club, scoring 12 goals and adding 6 assists before joining Watford. By late May 2026, his market value had risen to around €14 million, reflecting steady progress in the English Championship. In midfield, he will now share national team duties with Sofyan Amrabat, another key engine of Morocco’s midfield setup, while also featuring alongside emerging talents such as Gessime Yassine in the broader Atlas Lions setup.

At 27, Louza arrives in Athens at a stage widely seen as a player’s peak years. Panathinaikos will expect him to anchor their midfield, offering both creativity and control in central areas. His experience in Ligue 1 and English football, combined with his standing as a Morocco international, adds depth to a squad aiming for consistency in domestic and European competition this season.