On 1 September 2017, PAOK finally managed to complete the signing of experienced Peruvian central defender from FC Rubin Kazan. The 28-year-old international joins the Greek Cup winners of Romanian manager Răzvan Lucescu on loan from the Russian club, until the end of 2017-18 season.[7] On 15 December 2017, the Peruvian international defender despite the fact that signed on a season’s long loan before the 2017-18 seaon begun, he has not impressed PAOK coach Răzvan Lucescu. Feeling that the 28 years old defender, hasn’t matched the expectations which came with his arrival, PAOK are not willing to pay the extra two million euros which are required to keep him until the summer. Their decision isn’t too surprising, especially when Zambrano made a key error in the defeat to Olympiacos and earned a cheap red card during the loss against AEK Athens.