Brancou Badio will not continue at Valencia Basket. The Senegalese shooting guard is heading to Panathinaikos after the Greek club decided to pay his release clause, close to €1.5 million, to secure one of the most important players from the recent Liga Endesa champions.
The departure is surprising given the weight Badio had acquired in the Valencia Basket project. The club had renewed and improved his contract just two months ago, in a clear commitment to his continuity, but Panathinaikos' strong offensive has ultimately changed the scenario.
At 27 years old, Badio takes a new step in his career following an outstanding season, in which he established himself as a complete wing: capable of scoring, defending, and fitting within a collective system. His evolution from his time at Manresa to becoming a key piece for Valencia Basket has caught the attention of one of Europe's biggest clubs.
Panathinaikos is offering him a three-year contract worth approximately €5 million net in total. Zeljko Obradovic, the new head coach of the Athens-based club, reportedly gave his approval to an acquisition that further strengthens the ambitious Greek project.
For Valencia Basket, Badio's departure represents another significant blow in a summer of considerable movement. The club receives a relevant amount from his release clause, but loses a player with enormous impact on both sides of the court and now faces the challenge of rebuilding part of the structure that led them to the title.