AEK Athens Signs Croatian Midfielder Mayr With Salary More Than Double Former Beitar Player

AEK Athens has secured Croatian national team midfielder Lovro Mayr as a replacement for Kings Kangwa from Hapoel Be'er Sheva, after failing to complete the deal for Kangwa. Mayr, who played last season for Wolfsburg, is set to join AEK ahead of their training camp in Amsterdam, where he will undergo medical tests before signing his contract. According to German media and Sky Sports journalist Dennis Bayer, Mayr will earn a net annual salary of 2 million euros over the next four years, significantly surpassing Kangwa's expected salary of 600,000 to 750,000 euros at Panathinaikos, where Kangwa was also offered 700,000 euros by AEK before the deal collapsed.

Mayr's transfer fee is reported to be 6 million euros, making him the second most expensive signing in AEK Athens' history. He surpasses former Beitar Jerusalem player Livai Garcia, who was signed for 5.9 million euros and ranks eighth in AEK's transfer records. Another notable player, Frenkie Pierrot from Maccabi Haifa, is expected to rank ninth soon. The move highlights AEK's ambition to strengthen their squad with high-profile players following the unsuccessful attempt to acquire Kangwa.