Cedi Osman has explained why he left Panathinaikos for PAOK in one of the summer’s most surprising European basketball moves.
Osman agreed to a three-year contract worth €9 million net with PAOK, reportedly the largest deal in EuroCup history. Panathinaikos also received a €2 million buyout for the Turkish forward, who still had one year remaining on his contract.
Speaking to Turkish outlet Socrates, Osman confirmed that he had discussions with EuroLeague clubs Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe before choosing PAOK.
“Before PAOK, there were other clubs interested in me,” he said. “As you know, I also spoke with Efes and Fenerbahçe. But those processes were taken in a slightly different direction.”
Osman rejected suggestions that he simply did not want to return to Turkey. Instead, he said Panathinaikos’ buyout demands complicated negotiations with the Turkish clubs.
“Now, look, I wasn’t a free agent. I still had a year left on my contract with Panathinaikos. Therefore, when these talks started, Panathinaikos demanded a significant buyout,” he explained.
He added that it was the interested clubs’ responsibility to negotiate an agreement with Panathinaikos, rather than asking him to pressure his former team into lowering the price.
PAOK, however, was prepared to make the investment. Osman said the club’s ambitions and long-term project convinced him despite dropping from the EuroLeague to the EuroCup.
“I’m very excited to play for PAOK,” Osman said. “Yes, it’s a EuroCup team. But our goal is to be in the EuroLeague, and we have a very good squad for that.”
Osman also admitted leaving Panathinaikos was difficult, but indicated he had begun questioning his place at the club.
“Sometimes a player senses whether they are wanted there or not… You understand the relationship there. I felt that a little bit, and then things developed, and this is what happened.”
Cedi Osman explains why he didn’t sign with Fenerbahce or Efes https://t.co/k1KXRXhSWZ
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) August 19, 2026
