Hapoel Be'er Sheva Makes Final Offer to Kings Kangwa Before His Move to Panathinaikos

Kings Kangwa recently completed a high-profile transfer from Hapoel Be'er Sheva to Panathinaikos, marking one of the most notable moves in recent Israeli football. On August 2, 2026, Kangwa's agent, Nir Karin, appeared on Sport 5's "5 BaAvir" program to discuss the transfer process and Be'er Sheva's efforts to retain the player until the last moment.

Karin revealed that Panathinaikos had been in contact for several months and that other clubs, including AEK Athens, showed interest. However, AEK was reluctant to have Kangwa play in the European qualifiers, and Kangwa ultimately chose Panathinaikos because of the club's ambition and playing style that matched his own. Despite his strong connection to Be'er Sheva, the player felt he had reached a plateau after winning all possible domestic titles and faced challenges living in Israel as a non-native.

Financial considerations also played a significant role. Be'er Sheva made substantial offers to keep Kangwa, but they could not match Panathinaikos' terms. Karin noted that Panathinaikos aims to win the Greek championship for the first time in 15 years and has invested heavily in the squad, making it an attractive destination for Kangwa. The agent also mentioned that political factors have complicated transfers from Israel, citing Celtic's refusal to sign Kangwa due to his Israeli club background.

Be'er Sheva tried to delay the transfer so Kangwa could participate in matches against Red Star Belgrade, but ultimately the move was inevitable. Kangwa's salary in Greece is reportedly close to 600,000 euros annually, placing him among the top three earners in the Israeli Premier League before his departure. The transfer reflects both the player's ambition and the broader challenges Israeli clubs face in selling talent abroad amid geopolitical concerns.