Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TINO KADEWERE is not just switching clubs; he is chasing something deeper — renewal, rhythm and a chance to write a new chapter.
The Zimbabwean international has officially joined Greek Super League side Aris on a two-year deal, marking his latest stop in a decade-long journey across Europe.
After stints in Sweden, France and Spain, the 29-year-old forward now begins a fresh test in Greece.
It is a move that speaks to more than ambition.
“Firstly, it was a move that came with a lot of thinking in terms of the kids, environment and also a new project for my career,” Kadewere told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“I have had the best times in France, enjoyed every single moment, and felt like I needed a new challenge. The team really showed so much interest and belief in me.”
That belief mattered.
After bursting onto the scene with Djurgardens, climbing higher with Le Havre and featuring for giants Lyon and later Nantes, Kadewere did not just want another club; he wanted the right fit.
Greece offered a compelling mix of competitive football, lifestyle and growth. Aris wanted a striker. Kadewere needed a reboot.
He made his debut on Thursday night, coming off the bench in the 58th minute, with Aris already down by two goals against 10-man Araz in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. His presence helped in the 2-2 draw that ensued, though the team ultimately fell short on aggregate, losing 4-3.
“It wasn’t the perfect start, as I was looking to help my side qualify to the next round,” he said. “But we forced a draw and couldn’t cross the line.”
Even so, the performance showed promise.
Kadewere sees himself fitting well into Aris’ style of play.
“I watched the team play one game, and it was easy, really, the kind of football that suits me very well,” he said.
“A passing game, opening spaces for each other, and also with the use of speed upfront. It can be good for me and the team.”
That blend of movement and pace has long been Kadewere’s calling card.
He can lead the line or play just off the striker, link up through midfield or dart in behind defenders.
His versatility, paired with experience from France’s top-flight, gives Aris a forward who understands both nuance and pressure.
“Lately, the Greek Super League has attracted a lot of great talents,” he noted. “For sure, it will be different, but football is the same everywhere. As long as the mindset and body are in good shape, everything can go down very well. So, yeah, looking forward to the best here.”
That mindset includes learning from past setbacks, especially injuries that limited his rhythm in recent seasons.
He is determined to turn the page.
“First of all, I want to improve from the past seasons and make sure I stay fit to be able to play most of the games and get some good stats,” he said.
“I am really doing my very best to keep myself in good shape and try to help the team achieve, of course, something better than last season.”
Kadewere knows what top-level expectations look like.
At Lyon, he trained alongside elite players like Memphis Depay and Alexandre Lacazette. That experience hardened his game and resolve.
“I am coming here with so much ambition and will try to do better than the past season,” he said. “I always give my best in everything that I do.”
It is this mix of humility and hunger that could turn him into more than just a scorer at Aris. His leadership, discipline and big match experience might prove just as important in a dressing room seeking direction.
From Harare’s dusty pitches to Sweden’s chill, the fire of Ligue 1, and now the Greek sun, Kadewere has never stopped moving forward. Even when results sting, as they did on Thursday, his belief remains intact.
“It’s still a new environment and a lot still needs to be adjusted on my side,” he said. “But I think all is set and exciting times wait ahead.”
For Kadewere, Greece is not just a career move. It is a mission: to stay fit, stay sharp and let the goals follow.
“I have been through a lot over these years. But at this moment, I would want to stay fit and have more game time. The rest will naturally follow,” he said.
