Panathinaikos signs Valencia guard Brancou Badio to three-year, €5M contract after triggering €1.5M buyout

The transfer

Panathinaikos AKTOR has finalised the acquisition of Brancou Badio from Valencia Basket, paying the Spanish club his release clause worth around €1.5 million. The Greek side was chasing the guard for weeks and moved decisively after new coach Zeljko Obradovic gave the green light. Badio, who had extended his Valencia contract only two months earlier, has agreed personal terms on a three-year deal with total net earnings of €5 million.

Well, I'm sick and I wake up, sleep, wake up... couldn't you take a minute to put the money in Valencia?

Club owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos alluded to the move in a playful social-media post directed at his cat, indirectly confirming the transfer. The move follows reports from Spanish outlets Encestando and Las Provincias that Panathinaikos was willing to meet the buyout and offer a contract the player’s camp found significantly more advantageous under Greek tax rules than a comparable Spanish deal.

Badio’s profile

Badio, a 1.91m combo guard, enjoyed a standout 2025-26 campaign. In Euroleague regular season action he averaged 11.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.6 steals across 20:29 minutes. He elevated his output during the playoffs against Panathinaikos itself, posting 12.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the five-game series, while shooting efficiently and adding defensive intensity.

His performances were instrumental in Valencia’s run to the ACB league title and the Euroleague Final Four in Athens. The player had been recruited two summers ago from Manresa and was seen as a careful pick by coach Pedro Martínez, making his premature exit somewhat unexpected in Spain.

It wasn't an expected move, given that he is a player carefully selected by Pedro Martínez, whose contract was extended and salary increased by Valencia Basket just two months ago. But the reality is that Brancou Badio leaves and has signed for Panathinaikos, as we have confirmed.

Obradovic’s rebuild

Badio’s arrival is the second piece of a rapid restocking of the roster. Just days earlier Panathinaikos confirmed the signing of center Mustafa Fall from arch-rivals Olympiacos. Both additions carry the fingerprints of Zeljko Obradovic, the legendary Serbian coach who returned to the bench this summer and is building a team with a clear defensive identity. Badio’s tenacity on that end was a key factor in the coach’s decision.

The club expects Badio to fill the gap left by the departure of backcourt players, including Shorts, who will wear the “orange” of another club in 2026/27. With the new season’s squad taking shape, the management is expected to remain active in the market.