APOEL loans Diego Rosa to Qarabag

On August 30, 2026, APOEL Nicosia officially announced the loan of Brazilian midfielder Diego Rosa to the Azerbaijani club Qarabag FK for the current season. This move follows a period of financial necessity for the Cypriot team, which led leadership to consider transfer proposals for the player.

The agreement includes a purchase option that allows Qarabag to acquire the player's rights next summer, provided specific conditions—such as a required number of appearances—are met. Reports suggest the deal involves an initial payment of 200,000 euros for the loan, with an additional 500,000 euros should the purchase option be triggered. Furthermore, APOEL is set to retain a significant percentage of the player's economic rights should the transfer become permanent.

Following the departure, APOEL is prioritizing the strengthening of its squad, specifically seeking a new midfielder and a center forward to replace the gap left by Rosa. While there had been recent speculation regarding interest in players from Aris Thessaloniki, club spokesperson Nektarios Petevinos officially denied any such negotiations. The club continues to evaluate its options to bolster the roster for the remainder of the season.