Joao Mario officially rejoins AEK Athens

Portuguese midfielder Joao Mario has officially rejoined AEK Athens as a free agent following the conclusion of his contract with Beşiktaş. The 33-year-old, who played a pivotal role in AEK's recent league title win, expressed great enthusiasm about his return, stating that it feels “like coming home.”

Mario noted that the club and the team played a significant role in his career. Looking ahead, he set high ambitions for the upcoming season, including winning the Greek championship again and achieving a strong run in the Champions League. He also reflected on his memorable winning goal against Panathinaikos that secured the previous title.

The transfer follows a period of negotiation where the player expressed a strong desire to remain with the club. His return is seen as a major addition to coach Marko Nikolic's squad for the new season.