Best Super League transfers not involving the big four
AEK, PAOK, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos all pulled off headline making transfers this summer, but apart from the big four, the remaining 12 Super League teams also sealed clever deals. AGONAsport investigates further.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage from AGONASport.com!
During the off-season, the Greek transfer window was dominated by the likes of PAOK’s Pontus Wernbloom signing, the shock move of Lazaros Christodoulopoulos to Olympiacos, Federico Macheda’s decision to join Panathinaikos and AEK’s capture of Ezequiel Ponce, but different teams were also busy doing business on the market. In connection with the 2018/2019 season slowly gathering pace, let’s take a look at the other 12 Super League clubs’ best transfers of the summer:
Aris Thessaloniki
Making their long-awaited return to the Super League after a painful spell in the doldrums, Aris are back in the big time, but their management understood the need to strengthen the squad. Under the guidance of new head coach Paco Herrera, the Thessaloniki outfit made huge changes to the roster, notably bringing in Nicolas Diguiny, Thomas Nazlidis, Nicolas Martinez and Bruno Gama. Defensive midfielder Manolis Siopis, who joined Aris on a free after his Olympiacos contract was cancelled, adds necessary aggression.
Atromitos Athens
Overall, it was a difficult summer for Atromitos, as the Peristeri club saw star Egyptian midfielder Amr Warda return to parent club PAOK and promising goalkeeper Andreas Gianniotis move to Olympiacos. Nevertheless, with the intelligent Damir Canadi still in charge of the team, Atromitos kept the core together and strengthened their forward line with the loan signing of PAOK forward Efthymis Koulouris. The 22-year old has started the campaign brilliantly for Atromitos, notably scored twice in the opening 2:1 victory over Panetolikos. Hungarian shot stopper Balazs Megyeri will be their main goaltender after Nikola Mirkovic also left.
Asteras Tripolis
Interestingly, Asteras were one of the busiest Super League clubs in the summer, snapping up a number of talented Argentinians and Spaniards as they always do. Players such as Mark Fernandez and Jose Luis Valiente will get their first taste of Greek football, but alongside the foreigners, Asteras signed experienced Super League defenders Valentinos Vlachos and Christos Tasoulis to make the back line even tighter. Asteras managed to keep hold of captain Walter Iglesias and Greek international forward Michalis Manias.
Panionios
Unfortunately for Panthers fans, Panionios encountered financial problems this year, but that didn’t stop them from still sealing the signatures of a handful of quality foreigners. 24-year old Malian midfielder Abdoulaye Keita, a player which possesses the ability to control the play in the middle of the park, opted to leave AC Ajaccio in France and will be an important figure. Giorgos Manthatis was signed on loan from Olympiacos, former Dutch youth international Roland Alberg signed a deal with the Nea Smyrni based organisation and centre-back Yaya Banana has stayed.
PAS Giannina
The main transfer news for PAS Giannina was the loss of Pedro Conde after the Spanish hitman moved to the United Arab Emirates. On a more positive note, PAS were handed Olympiacos defender Stefanos Evangelou on a two-year loan, Croatian attacker Sandi Krizman swapped Larissa for Ioannina and gifted Colombian midfielder Fabry Castro can take PAS to the next level. The Ukrainian duo of Orest Kuzyk and Vladyslav Naumets also joined.
AE Larissa
Right-back Giannis Masouras was purchased by Olympiacos and Krizman signed for PAS Giannina, but AEL did well to sign replacements, in particular agreeing a contract with ex-Lamia creative midfielder Piti. Bassem Morsi, a 26-year old Egyptian striker, left his homeland for the first time in his career to play for AEL on loan from Zamalek. Morsi has competed in 10 matches for the Egyptian national team and registered a large seven goals.
PAS Lamia 1964
In a real coup, Lamia somehow attracted a former AC Milan player, striking an agreement to sign 20-year old Moroccan prospect Hachim Mastour. Born in Italy but a senior international for Morocco’s national team, Mastour progressed through the Milan academy, however he was released and found a new home in Lamia. Elsewhere, Giannis Skondras returned from Hamilton Academical in Scotland and journeyman Anastasios Karamanos signed a deal with the club after leaving Olympiacos.
Xanthi
It was a pretty quiet summer in Xanthi, but they did hold on to prize possession Erik Jendrisek while signing Dutch midfielder Jeffrey Sarpong from Elazigspor, Kerkyra man Denis Epstein, Serbian midfielder Aleksandar Kovacevic and Frenchman Sofiane Khadda.
OFI
In the 2017/2018 Football League campaign, Dimitris Manos was simply on fire with 27 goals in a mere 26 matches, however the striker made the move to Piraeus where he sits on the sidelines with Olympiacos. On the arrivals front, Anastasios Papazoglou, Vangelis Platellas and Christos Aravidis bring well-needed Super League experience to OFI and will aim to help the Football League champions stay in the top flight. 29-year old Argentinian midfielder Juan Neira is one to watch.
Apollon Smyrnis
Bidding to keep their place in the Super League, Apollon acquired ex-AEK centre-back Adam Tzanetopoulos on a free transfer, Egyptian striker Shikabala on loan from Zamalek and veteran striker Vangelis Mantzios. Although Apollon are one of the favourites for relegation, the Rizoupoli club do have squad depth.
Levadiakos
Naturally, Levadiakos struggle to attract any big names, but they did persuade Guadeloupean winger Lenny Nangis to sign. In the past, Nangis represented practically all of the French youth national teams before he switched to Guadeloupe, so he travels to Levadeia with high expectations on his shoulders.
Panetolikos
The signing of Argentinian forward Nicolas Mana was good, but Panetolikos’ best deal has to be the capture of 29-year old midfielder Sebastian Eriksson. Between 2010 and 2016, Eriksson made seven appearances for Sweden, and he was a vital player for IFK Goteborg in his home country. Panetolikos have done superbly to keep their main players together and should finish in mid-table.
