Oleksandr Zubkov’s Transfer to AEK
Greek club AEK has secured the signing of Oleksandr Zubkov, a Ukrainian winger who previously played for Turkey’s Trabzonspor and represents his national team. The deal is worth €4 million, with the contract running for four years until the summer of 2030. Zubkov is also eligible for up to €500,000 in performance-based bonuses. As part of the agreement, Trabzonspor retains a 10% sell-on clause on any future transfer of the player.
Career and Statistics
At 29 years old, Zubkov had been considering a move to Major League Soccer in the United States before ultimately choosing AEK. The Greek side finished the season as league champions, securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. This acquisition ranks among the top five most expensive transfers in AEK’s history, and Zubkov becomes the fifth Ukrainian player to join the club. Previous Ukrainian footballers at AEK include:
- Oleh Venhlinskyi
- Dmytro Chygrynskiy
- Yevhen Shakhov
- Oleh Danchenko
During the 2025/26 season, Zubkov made 37 appearances for Trabzonspor across all official competitions, scoring four goals and providing seven assists. Transfermarkt values Zubkov at €6 million, matching the club’s asking price. Notably, AEK has previously spent more on only three other players:
- Orbelín Pineda (€6.5 million)
- Levi García (€5.9 million)
- Barnabás Varga (€4.5 million)
Zubkov shares the fourth spot on the club’s all-time most expensive transfers list with Robert Ljubičić.
This move highlights the growing international appeal of Ukrainian footballers and underscores AEK’s ambition to strengthen its squad for European competition. With his experience in the Turkish Süper Lig, Zubkov is well-positioned to make an impact at AEK, especially as the club faces the challenges of the Champions League. His recent performances and stats suggest he is ready for the next step in his career.
As Zubkov embarks on this new chapter with AEK, it's worth noting the circumstances surrounding his departure from Trabzonspor. The Turkish club had set a transfer price for the winger, indicating their determination to capitalize on his talents. For a deeper insight into the valuation process and the implications of Zubkov's exit, check out our detailed report on the transfer pricing by Trabzonspor's transfer strategy.