Greek Super League champions PAOK have finalised a permanent transfer for French midfielder Soualiho Meité from Benfica, activating a €1 million clause as confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The 31-year-old, who had only one year left on his Benfica contract, joins PAOK after a successful loan spell in the 2024/25 season, marking a significant coup for the club as they bolster their midfield for domestic and European campaigns.
The deal agreed on June 26, 2025, has sparked excitement among fans, with Meité’s experience and physicality set to enhance PAOK’s title defence.
Meité, born on March 17, 1994, in Paris, France, brings a wealth of experience to PAOK, having played for clubs like Auxerre, Lille, Monaco, Torino, AC Milan, and Benfica.
His initial loan move to PAOK in August 2023, followed by another in January 2025, saw him make 42 appearances, score one goal, and provide two assists, contributing to PAOK’s Greek Super League title.
His standout performances, including being named Fans’ Man of the Match against Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2023/24 UEFA Europa Conference League, cemented his value.
PAOK’s coach, Răzvan Lucescu, played a pivotal role in securing Meité’s return, with the player expressing a strong preference for Thessaloniki over other clubs like Panathinaikos.
The €1 million transfer fee, a bargain given Meité’s €2 million market value according to Transfermarkt, reflects Benfica’s willingness to offload the midfielder, whose €2 million annual salary was a financial burden.
With only one year remaining on his contract, Benfica opted for a permanent sale rather than another loan, allowing PAOK to secure Meité on a reported 1+1-year deal, with an automatic renewal based on appearances.
Negotiations initially aimed for a €900,000 fee, but the €1 million clause was activated, ensuring a cost-effective deal for PAOK.
Meité’s versatility as a box-to-box and defensive midfielder, standing at 1.87 m, has been praised by Lucescu, who highlighted his physicality and ability to link play.
His 2024/25 season included 12 matches and one assist, solidifying his role as a key starter. The transfer also aligns with Benfica’s squad overhaul under Rui Costa, who facilitated the loan of David Jurásek to Beşiktaş on the same day.
The move comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Kenya’s Gen Z protests highlighting issues like police brutality and corruption, drawing parallels to the broader fight for accountability.
While unrelated, the unrest underscores the global context in which football transfers provide moments of unity and optimism.
Meité’s signing bolsters PAOK’s ambitions in the Greek Super League and UEFA competitions, with the club aiming to build on their 2024/25 title success. His experience across Ligue 1, Serie A, and the Primeira Liga positions him as a leader for younger players like Mady Camara.
However, Meité’s career has faced scrutiny. Some Benfica fans, as seen in Reddit discussions, questioned his impact during his 27 appearances in 2021/22, with his loan to Cremonese in 2022/23 yielding only two assists in 35 games.
Despite this, his adaptation to PAOK’s high-pressing style under Lucescu has silenced doubters, with his market value holding steady. The transfer also highlights PAOK’s strategic approach to the market, leveraging loan-to-permanent deals to manage costs while securing proven talent.
As PAOK prepares for the 2025/26 season, Meité’s permanent move signals their intent to remain a dominant force.
With Lucescu’s backing and a passionate fanbase, Meité is poised to make history at Toumba Stadium, where he will wear the number 82 shirt. The deal, celebrated by fans as a “masterstroke”, positions PAOK for success in Greece and beyond.
