New challenges for Fortounis in Piraeus
Following a superb 2018/2019 campaign, Kostas Fortounis extended his Olympiacos through to the summer of 2023, with new challenges awaiting the gifted midfielder.
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Fortounis won’t forget the 2018/2019 season in a hurry. Having clicked with newly appointed head coach Pedro Martins, the 26-year-old subsequently enjoyed one of the best seasons in the Erythrolefki shirt, registering 17 goals and 16 assists across 43 matches in all competitions. Pretty impressive for an attacking midfielder.
As a result, West Ham United and Turkish clubs were rumoured to be highly interested in Fortounis, but the Greek international spoke of his desire to remain in Piraeus. Fortounis consequently extended his contract with Olympiacos until June 2023.
“I am very happy to have signed a new contract with Olympiacos. The process was completed very quickly. Both I and the club wanted this outcome. When I had a meeting with the owner, we reached an agreement, and this is what I wanted because I am staying with the club I love. I have been here since I was a young child. I left and then came back. I have been here for many years and I have a strong connection with the supporters. My message to them is that we will be successful again, returning to where we belong,” Fortounis’ first words after penning his new deal.
However, although Olympiacos fans are rightly delighted by the fact their captain is staying put, there are a range of new challenges for Fortounis to overcome.
“This is the biggest contract ever offered to a Greek player in Greece,” said then Olympiacos Communications Director, Konstantinos Karapapas. Taking into account his brilliant performances last season, Fortounis is worthy of a large contract, but he now has to live up to his billing. Olympiacos even reportedly turned down a bid of around 17 million from West Ham. Without doubt, Fortounis is certainly capable of repeating such a productive season, but he has the new pressure of proving why Olympiacos rejected such large offers for him. After all, Olympiacos sold Konstantinos Mitroglou for 15 million Kostas Manolas for 14.5 million. And it’s always easier to reach the top rather than stay there.
Over the course of the next four years, Fortounis will earn six million in Piraeus, with Olympiacos splashing out 11 million if we consider tax. Hefty money for a Greek player indeed.
His main task is delivering on his promise of inspiring Olympiacos to success again. Olympiacos, the most successful club in Greece with 44 championships and 27 cups, haven’t won a trophy for two consecutive campaigns. A third season in a row without silverware simply wouldn’t be acceptable for the Piraeus giants, but with the captain’s armband firmly wrapped around his arm, Fortounis is burning with desire to take Olympiacos back to the top. You could see the fire in his eyes throughout the entire 2018/2019 season, something which had been missing for too many years.
196 appearances, 68 goals, 55 assists. Fortounis’ scintillating statistics with Olympiacos in his professional career. You can bet he will add to that tally in the upcoming season, and this summer, he will aim to guide Olympiacos through the tricky qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League to the coveted group phase. There is no other option for Fortounis: when Olympiacos have a crucial night, he has to be at his best. Considering the wealth of talent on their books, Olympiacos aren’t a one-man team, but everything they do goes through Fortounis. The supporters are relying on him to deliver.
