AEK Secures Loan Deal for João Mário from Beşiktaş
According to renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, AEK Athens has finalized an agreement with Turkish club Beşiktaş to acquire João Mário on loan. This development has been corroborated by multiple sources, confirming the transfer of the 32-year-old Portuguese attacking midfielder without an option to buy.
Strategic Squad Changes at AEK
AEK has successfully offloaded Anthony Martial’s hefty contract, with the French forward currently undergoing medical examinations ahead of his move to Monterrey. In his place, the club is set to welcome João Mário, a versatile playmaker capable of operating across all three attacking midfield positions, adding valuable experience to the squad.
Contractual Details and Transfer Context
João Mário remains under contract with Beşiktaş until the summer of 2027. His arrival will mark AEK’s eighth signing of the summer transfer window, highlighting the club’s ambition to strengthen its roster with seasoned professionals.
Previous Collaboration with Coach Marco Nikolić
Notably, João Mário has previously worked with AEK’s current coach Marco Nikolić during his loan spell at Lokomotiv Moscow, where Nikolić was head coach. This prior relationship is expected to facilitate the player’s integration into the team.
João Mário: Career Overview and Achievements
João Mário Naval da Costa Eduardo, born on January 19, 1993, in Porto, Portugal, stands at 1.79 meters tall. He began his professional journey at Sporting Lisbon, where he was loaned to Vitória Setúbal in 2014 before returning to contribute significantly to Sporting’s squad, including winning the Portuguese Cup in 2015.
In 2016, he transferred to Inter Milan for a reported fee of €40 million plus €5 million in bonuses. His career includes loan spells at West Ham United and Lokomotiv Moscow. In 2020, he returned to Sporting on loan, playing a pivotal role in securing the Primeira Liga title-the club’s first in 19 years.
Following this, João Mário spent three seasons with Benfica, where he achieved a personal best by scoring 17 league goals and helped the team clinch the 2022-23 Primeira Liga championship.
International Career with Portugal
João Mário debuted for the Portuguese national team in 2014 and has since earned 56 caps. He was part of the squad that triumphed at UEFA Euro 2016 and represented Portugal in the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. Of Angolan descent, he also accumulated 82 appearances with Portugal’s youth teams and 13 with the U21 side.
His senior debut came in a friendly against France on October 11, 2014, where he notably won a penalty. He scored his first international goal in a friendly versus Saudi Arabia on November 10, 2017. In May 2023, João Mário announced his retirement from international football.
Career Highlights and Key Moments
- 2018: Loaned to West Ham United, making 14 appearances and scoring twice.
- 2019: Loan spell at Lokomotiv Moscow, featuring in 22 matches with 1 goal and 7 assists.
- 2020: Returned to Sporting Lisbon on loan, contributing to their league title with 127 appearances, 16 goals, and 20 assists overall for the club.
- July 2021: Terminated contract with Inter Milan after 69 games, 4 goals, and 13 assists.
Benfica Tenure: Record-Breaking Performances
João Mário signed with Benfica on July 13, 2021. He netted his first goal for the club on August 10, 2021, during a UEFA Champions League fixture. In the 2022-23 Champions League group stage, he scored four goals, showcasing his attacking prowess on Europe’s biggest stage.
On November 29, 2023, he made history by scoring a hat-trick against his former club Inter Milan in the Champions League, marking the first-ever hat-trick by a Benfica player in the competition.
Beşiktaş Chapter and Recent Form
João Mário joined Beşiktaş on loan on September 4, 2024, before the Turkish club secured his permanent transfer in January 2025. Since then, he has featured in 45 matches, scoring 10 goals and providing 5 assists, demonstrating consistent contributions in the Süper Lig.
Video Highlights
Watch João Mário’s latest skills, assists, and goals from the 2024 season with Beşiktaş in the video below: