Transfer deadline day: Two former Newcastle United favourites have agreed a deadline day reunion.
Former Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko has left Championship side Watford to join Greek club Panathinaikos.
Sissoko was sold by Newcastle to Tottenham Hotspur for £30million following the club’s relegation from the Premier League in 2016.
Sissoko quickly became a fan favourite at Newcastle following his arrival in January 2013. The midfielder made an immediate impact on Tyneside following his arrival from Toulouse, grabbing an assist on his debut against Aston Villa and scoring a brace in his first St James’ Park appearance in a 3-2 win over Chelsea 13 years ago to the day.
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Sissoko's signing was a testament to the impact January transfers can have as he was hailed as one of the club’s best signings made in the winter window.
But supporters later became frustrated with the French midfielder as he struggled for consistency during his final season at the club, scoring just once in his final season as the club were relegated to the Championship.
Sissoko followed his 133 appearances for Newcastle with 202 outings for Spurs before joining Watford. He later spent two seasons at Nantes before returning to Vicarage Road in 2024.
After 20 appearances for Watford this season, Sissoko has joined Panathinaikos, who just so happen to be managed by one of his former bosses at Newcastle.
NUFC reunion for Moussa Sissoko
Panathinaikos are managed by former Newcastle boss, Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard only briefly managed Sissoko during the latter stages of the 2015/16 season before the midfielder was sold to Spurs months later.
While Sissoko’s reputation at Newcastle is mixed, Benitez remains a highly-respected figure on Tyneside, having led the club back to the Premier League and achieved consistent midtable finishes despite little support from above.
Benitez left Newcastle in 2019 with Panathinaikos being the fourth club he’s managed since his departure from St James’ Park less than six years ago.
A brief spell back in Spain with Celta Vigo followed before Benitez joined Panathinaikos in October 2025. He has so far helped the Greek side reach the knockout round play-offs in the Europa League and the semi-final of the Greek Cup.
But there’s work to do in the Super League Greece as Panathinaikos are struggling for consistency, currently sitting fifth in the table - 16 points behind leaders AEK Athens and nine points off the top four.
Benitez will be hoping the addition of a familiar face in Sissoko can help his side find some consistency during the business end of the season.
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