Most expensive PAOK departures under Savvidis

In connection with the recent sale of Aleksandar Prijovic to Al Ittihad, AGONAsport analyses PAOK’s most expensive departures under the leadership of Ivan Savvidis.

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PAOK had no intention of selling Prijovic this winter, but when Al Ittihad activated his release clause of 10 million euros, they had no other choice than to let the 28-year old Serbian go. His sale has arrived as an unwanted blow to head coach Razvan Lucescu, but on the other hand, PAOK have made a tidy profit on a player who is only worth six million according to Transfermarkt.

Let’s take a look at some of PAOK’s most expensive departures with Ivan Savvidis in charge of the Thessaloniki club:

Aleksandar Prijovic, striker

Came from: Legia Warsaw (POL), January 17, 2017

Sold to: Al Ittihad (KSA), January 10, 2019

Signed for: 2.9 million euros

Amount Sold: 10 million euros

Current Club and worth: Al-Ittihad (KSA), 6 million euros

The tall Serbian striker quickly transformed into a fans’ favourite, displaying infectious passion for PAOK while scoring an impressive 55 goals in 87 appearances for the Greeks. With Prijovic, the Dikefalos tou Vorra managed to win two consecutive Greek Cups, but this January, the striker opted to move to Saudi Arabia in a hugely lucrative deal. Al Ittihad decided to activate his release clause of 10 million euros, and when offered a 4.5 year contract worth over 25 million, Prijovic simply couldn’t say no. Prijovic leaves PAOK with the team seemingly on course to win the domestic championship for the first time since 1985.

Lucas Perez, striker

Came from: Karpaty Lviv (UKR), July 5, 2013

Sold to: Deportivo La Coruna (ESP), August 12, 2015

Signed for: 800,000 euros

Sold for: 7.5 million euros (1.5 million+6 million)

Current club and worth: West Ham United, 6 million euros

Ahead of the 2013/2014 campaign, Spanish forward Perez was snapped up from Ukrainian outfit Karpaty Lviv by PAOK, however the move didn’t quite go to plan as he only scored 13 goals in 52 matches. Ater that particular season ended, Perez was eager to play in his home country, and PAOK allowed him to join Deportivo on loan. In August 2015, he then signed for Deportivo permanently, where he would stay for one season before transferring to Arsenal. Perez struggled with the English giants and is now a player of fellow London club West Ham United.

Garry Rodrigues, winger

Came from: Elche (ESP), August 4, 2015

Sold to: Galatasaray (TUR), January 10, 2017

Signed for: 250 thousand euros

Sold for: 5.3 million euros

Current club and worth: Al Ittihad (KSA), 7.5 million euros

PAOK managed to secure the signature of the Cape Verdean winger for a small amount of money back in August 2015. In Thessaloniki, Rodrigues tallied 13 goals in 58 games for PAOK, in particular scoring a stunning winning goal against Fiorentina in the UEFA Europa League. Rodrigues was beginning to make a name for himself in Greece, and in January 2017, PAOK took the decision to cash in by selling him for 5.3 million to Galatasaray. He is now a teammate of Prijovic at Al Ittihad.

Robert Mak, winger

Came from: FC Nurnberg (GER), July 1, 2014

Sold to: Zenit Saint Petersburg (RUS), July 1, 2016

Signed for: 300 thousand euros

Sold for: 3.5 million euros

Current club and worth: Zenit Saint Petersburg (RUS), 5 million euros

During his maiden spell at PAOK, Mak was a standout figure for the team, netting a combined total of 28 goals in 79 games in the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons to earn a spot on the Slovakian roster for UEFA Euro 2016. Zenit Saint Petersburg then picked him up for 3.5 million, but after failing to make an impact in Russia, he was sent back on loan to PAOK. Mak has now made an improvement with Zenit having returned to Saint Petersburg.

Robin Olsen, goalkeeper

Came from: Malmo FF (SWE), July 2, 2015

Sold to: FC Copenhagen (DEN), July 1, 2016

Signed for: 650 thousand euros

Sold for: 3 million euros (750,000+2.3 million)

Current club and worth: AS Roma (ITA), 10 million euros

In Greece, Olsen couldn’t adapt to his new surroundings, only playing in 19 matches in all competitions in the 2015/2016 season. Olsen was subsequently sent out on loan to FC Copenhagen, and after he penned a permanent deal with the Danish club, the goalkeeper later transferred to AS Roma in July 2018. His value is now rated at 10 million by Transfermarkt and he gave strong showings for Sweden at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Gojko Cimirot, midfielder

Came from: FK Sarajevo (BIH), August 17, 2015

Sold to: Standard Liege (BEL), January 25, 2018

Signed for: 1.3 million euros

Sold for: 2.5 million euros

Current club and worth: Standard Liege (BEL), 3.5 million euros

Cimirot was signed by PAOK as a relatively unknown midfielder from FK Sarajevo in his home country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At first, Cimirot encountered injury problems, but he did begin to establish himself and his first goal arrived in a match against Panathinaikos. Nevertheless, the Bosnian gradually fell out of favour, and he was offloaded to Standard Liege for 3.5 million. Cimirot is an important player for Standard in the centre of midfield.

Christian Noboa, midfielder

Came from: Dynamo Moscow (RUS), January 9, 2015

Sold to: FC Rostov (RUS), July 29, 2015

Signed for: Free transfer

Sold for: 1.5 million euros

Current club and worth: Zenit Saint Petersburg (RUS), 2 million euros

Leaving Dynamo Moscow on a free, Noboa made the move to Greece, signing a 2.5 year contract with PAOK. He didn’t stay for long though, as he transferred back to Russia with Rostov after the 2014/2015 Super League season with the Dikefalos tou Vorra. Nowadays, Noboa competes for Zenit Saint Petersburg, and he is currently on the sidelines with a serious injury.

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: gazzetta.gr

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