Hapoel Be'er Sheva's Kings Kangwa Stands Firm Amid Transfer Pressures to Panathinaikos

Hapoel Be'er Sheva officially announced the transfer of midfielder Kings Kangwa to Greek club Panathinaikos on July 25, 2026. The club praised Kangwa's professionalism and resilience during a complex transfer saga, which included a failed move to AEK Athens. AEK had demanded that Kangwa not play for Be'er Sheva against Vikingur in the Champions League qualifiers as a condition for the transfer, but Kangwa defied this by starting the match and scoring his team's only goal. A club source noted, "He stood firm under AEK's intense pressure not to play. Not every player would have done that." The source added that Kangwa ultimately sacrificed a direct Champions League opportunity to pursue a spot in the Conference League, demonstrating both his and the club's ability to handle pressure and know when to move on.

Kangwa was also late by ten days to the start of Be'er Sheva's training camp, which the club attributed to the ongoing conflict in the region. Despite this, he remained committed, contributing significantly to the club's recent league and cup victories. The midfielder is determined to help Be'er Sheva secure a European competition spot this season, which is very important to him.

Interest in Kangwa extended beyond Greece, with offers from clubs in the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, the United States, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Russia, and other countries. Ultimately, Panathinaikos was chosen. Kangwa now aims to help Panathinaikos win their first league title since 2010, secure the Greek Cup, and advance in the Conference League. Be'er Sheva stands to benefit financially from the transfer through specific clauses in the deal.