Panathinaikos signs French guard Sylvain Francisco to three-year deal

Panathinaikos AKTOR has officially announced the signing of French point guard Sylvain Francisco on a three-year contract. The deal was finalized on the night of July 29, 2026, after the club capitalized on uncertainty surrounding the player's situation at his previous team, ASVEL Villeurbanne. Panathinaikos paid a buyout fee of approximately 1 million euros to secure his release, and the total value of the contract is reported to be around 10 million euros.

The 28-year-old guard arrived in Athens shortly after midnight on July 30 and has already visited the team's facilities at the Telekom Center. His decision to join the club was significantly influenced by the opportunity to work under head coach Zeljko Obradovic and the presence of his French national teammates, Mathias Lessort, Moustapha Fall, and Guerschon Yabusele. The acquisition completes the roster for the 2026-27 season, with club management indicating that no further moves are expected unless a specific need arises later in the year.

Following his arrival, Francisco expressed excitement about playing in front of the Panathinaikos fans, noting the intensity of the home atmosphere. He is now set to begin medical examinations and formal integration into the team's training program as they prepare for the upcoming domestic and European competitions.