Eleven cheap Super League stars
 

Being rich doesn’t necessarily guarantee success. In a special featured article, AGONAsport puts together an eleven-man squad made up of current Super League players who were picked up by their respective clubs for incredibly small sums of money. 

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Goalkeeper

Andreas Gianniotis (Atromitos Athens): The 25-year old is enjoying a record breaking campaign with Super League high flyers Atromitos, earning a number of clean sheets and firing the modest capital club to fourth position in the table. Gianniotis was picked up on a free transfer in 2017 after he cancelled his contract with Olympiacos, but taking into account his brilliant season, the Thrylos are poised to re-sign him in the coming summer.

Signed for: Free transfer

Current market value (transfermarkt): 1.0 million euros 

Defenders

Michalis Bakakis (AEK Athens): Back in 2014, AEK signed the dangerous right-back for 250 thousand euros from hometown club Panetolikos. Since then, Bakakis has gradually become a standout player in the Enosis ranks, impressing with his ability to burst forward and offer a threat on the right flank. Recently, he earned a deserved call-up to the Greek national team after catching the eye of Ethniki Omada head coach Michael Skibbe.

Signed for: 250 thousand euros

Current market value (transfermarkt): 800 thousand euros

Ognjen Vranjes (AEK Athens): Another key player for AEK, the imposing Bosnian centre-back joined the Enosis in January 2017 as a free-agent from small Russian club Tom Tomsk. Vranjes has transformed himself into a cult hero for AEK’s supporters, showing real commitment on the pitch and associating himself with the club’s Original 21 fan base. When on the verge of signing for Anderlecht in the winter, Vranjes was told he’s not for sale.

Signed for: Free transfer

Current market value (transfermarkt): 1.25 million euros

Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiacos): Olympiacos’ defence has certainly been shaky in the 2017/2018 season, but Senegalese centre-half Cisse is one of the few Thrylos players to emerge from the campaign with any credit. He actually signed for Olympiacos in January 2017, but he stayed with former club AC Ajaccio until the summer as a part of the deal. Despite his market value stated to be 800 thousand euros, Olympiacos are hoping to sell him for six million.

Signed for: Undisclosed

Current market value (transfermarkt): 800 thousand euros

Kyriakos Kivrakidis (Atromitos Athens): Already an Atromitos player for the past four years, Kivrakidis originally put pen to paper on a contract with the Peristeri outfit after signing for a reported 30 thousand euros from Aiginiakos. PAOK are supposedly lining up a move for the defender in the near future.

Signed for: 30 thousand euros

Current market value (transfermarkt): 900 thousand euros

Midfielders

Madson (Atromitos Athens): Without doubt, the 26-year old Brazilian midfielder is a key member of Atromitos’ effective team. Having earned the trust of head coach Damir Canadi, Madson keeps Atromitos ticking and has made 26 appearances in the Super League and Greek Cup combined. Picked up on a free after he was released from the financially troubled Craiova in Romania.

Signed for: Free transfer

Current market value (transfermarkt): 600 thousand euros

Walter Iglesias (Asteras Tripolis): Standing at 193 cm tall, the Spaniard defensive midfielder is a tough man for opponents to get past. Iglesias has spent a large chunk of his playing career in Greece, representing AEL and Atromitos before moving to Asteras Tripolis in 2015 from Chinese team Changchun Yatai. An influential figure for Asteras.

Signed for: Free transfer

Current market value (transfermarkt): 450 thousand euros

Dimitris Pelkas (PAOK): Emerging from the PAOK academy, Pelkas was sent out on loan to Apollon Kalamarias and Vitoria Setubal before finally receiving a chance with the Dikefalos tou Vorra in 2015. Pelkas is now an irreplaceable player for PAOK, adding real creativity and flair to the team. So far, the 24-year old boasts seven goals and six assists this season.

Signed for: Academy product

Transfer market value (transfermarkt): 2 million euros

Amr Warda (Atromitos): Yes, Atromitos probably won’t win the championship, but Egyptian playmaker Warda may be the Super League’s MVP. On loan from PAOK, Warda has excelled with his wonderful array of skills, making himself Atromitos’ answer to fellow countryman Mohamed Salah. Unfortunately for the club’s fans, he will return to PAOK for next season.

Signed for: Loan deal

Transfer market value (transfermarkt): 1 million euros

Forwards

Srdjan Spiridonovic (Panionios): Born in Austria to a Serbian family, 24-year old winger Spiridonovic transferred to Panionios on a free transfer in 2017. No one was familiar with him before he moved to Greece, but Spiridonovic has done well with the Nea Smyrni club, hitting the target on eight occasions for Panionios. 

Signed for: Free Transfer

Transfer market value (transfermarkt): 600 thousand euros

Pedro Conde (PAS Giannina): This season couldn’t have gone any better for Conde. The Spanish forward has scored an outstanding 13 goals for mid-table club PAS Giannina, in turn earning the attention of Greece’s leading clubs. It will be a minor miracle if PAS somehow manage to keep hold of their star man in the summer transfer window.

Signed for: Free transfer

Transfer market value (transfermarkt): 900 thousand euros
 

by Shaun Nicolaides

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