Partizan officially introduced its third signing of the offseason, with point guard Alessandro Pajola arriving after spending 11 years with Virtus Bologna.
As Basketball Sphere first reported, the vacant point guard position on the Belgrade powerhouse has been filled by Italian national team guard Alessandro Pajola, who leaves Virtus after 11 years with the club and has signed a two-year contract with Partizan.
The arrival of Alessandro Pajola represents one of Partizan’s most significant additions of the summer. Throughout his career, the Italian international has earned a reputation as one of the best defenders in Europe, and those who have worked with him over the years have spoken highly of his qualities.
From national team coaches and championship-winning head coaches to teammates such as Milos Teodosic and Marco Belinelli, as well as Virtus’ farewell message, nearly everyone highlights the same characteristics: leadership, selflessness, sacrifice, and elite defense.
Marco Belinelli
“There are two things I can’t live without in my sports life. The first is the coaching staff—doctors, physiotherapists, strength coaches—and the second… Alessandro Pajola.”
Belinelli was actually the one who coined the famous term “Pajolismo” to describe his teammate’s unique style of play:
“Pajolismo is our trademark. It’s a style built on giving 100 percent on defense, suffocating opposing guards, and showing complete selflessness. Alessandro is the heart and soul of this team.”
The information first reported by Basketball Sphere has now been confirmed: Alessandro Pajola is the new player of Partizan! pic.twitter.com/pYfRnTsjBu
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) July 23, 2026
Luca Banchi
“I would like him to be an example for everyone. He is one of the club’s greatest assets—take good care of him. He possesses unique energy. Alessandro is capable of changing the momentum of an entire game in just three possessions, solely through his defensive aggression and smart decisions.”
Dusko Ivanovic
“Alessandro Pajola is a leader, both emotionally and on the basketball court. He already took a major step forward last year—that was my impression. Every single day he puts in tremendous effort and dedication. I would like him to be an example for everyone. He has played for this team for 10 years, which is very unusual nowadays. He usually gives more than 100 percent.”
Gianmarco Pozzecco
“Pajola is the heart of this national team.”
Tornike Shengelia
“Playing against him in practice is a nightmare, so I can only imagine what it’s like for opposing guards. His hands are everywhere, he reads the opponent’s offense like an open book, and he gives us incredible security on the defensive end.”
Sergio Scariolo
“Pajola is one of the players who best represents the spirit of Virtus. Alessandro has the rare ability to control the pace of a game without needing to dominate the ball offensively. His impact doesn’t always show up in the box score, but every coach knows how essential he is to team chemistry and a winning mentality.”
Stefan Markovic
“Before I came here, I talked with Coach Đorđević about the roster and the team. During a preseason game against Cantù, I gave Pajola plenty of advice because I believe Pajo is a player with outstanding qualities. This year he’ll have the opportunity to play alongside players who have won championships and from whom he can learn a great deal.”
11 stagioni insieme: trofei, vittorie, sconfitte, emozioni, 545 partite con la stessa canotta dal 28 febbraio 2016…
— Virtus Bologna (@VirtusBo) July 1, 2026
Grazie di tutto Pajo 🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/xAt32bQ1yM
Daniel Hackett
One of the most experienced players to share a locker room with Pajola, he especially emphasized the guard’s impact beyond the numbers.
“Pajola brings energy both on the court and in the locker room.”
That was how the Italian national team guard described what has been the new Partizan guard’s greatest strength for years.
Aleksandar Djordjevic
“Alessandro is a player who never shies away from contact or responsibility. His defensive intensity is contagious throughout the entire team. He is the prototype of a modern point guard who puts the team first and does all the little things that win championships.”
Milos Teodosic
“Pajo is an unbelievable teammate. He makes my life easier because I know he’ll cover every defensive breakdown and take on the toughest opposing player. He plays with the maturity of someone who is 35 years old, not someone who is just beginning his career.”
Kyle Hines
“Pajola is one of the few remaining guards who truly enjoys playing defense. Nowadays everyone wants to be a scorer, but he has earned his name and respect in the EuroLeague by locking down the best opposing scorers.”
Awudu Abass
“Pajo doesn’t talk much—he just goes out there and bites you on the court. In practice he’s just as relentless and aggressive as he is in games. When you see him diving for a loose ball whether we’re up 15 or down 15, you have no choice but to follow him. He raises the competitive level of the entire team.”
Walter De Raffaele, former Venezia head coach
“Everyone wants point guards who score 20 points, and they forget what actually wins games. Look at Pajola. He entered the Virtus system and became irreplaceable because he understood that by controlling the defense and unselfishly creating for his teammates, he holds the keys to the game.”
Ettore Messina
“Pajola is the kind of player who disrupts every opposing coach’s game plan. The moment he checks into the game, you know the tempo is about to change and your guards won’t have an easy time bringing the ball up the floor anymore. His full-court pressure is elite by European standards.”
Virtus, following his departure
“Alessandro grew up here. He arrived as a boy and leaves as a captain, a champion, and the symbol of an era. His name will always be synonymous with fight, self-sacrifice, and exceptional basketball intelligence. He is the definition of everything Virtus stands for.”
Alessandro Pajola is not the type of player who will score 20 or 30 points every night, but nearly everyone who has worked with him says the same thing—his impact on winning goes far beyond the box score.
That is precisely why he spent years as Virtus’ captain, became one of the leaders of the Italian national team, and established himself as one of Europe’s most respected defenders. By signing him, Partizan has added a player whose greatest qualities are best reflected through the words of those who shared the locker room with him.
