Velanas extends Utrecht contract as EPO track progress
Odysseus Velanas, a young midfielder on the books of Utrecht, recently extended his contract with the Dutch club after impressing with the second team.
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Velanas, 21, has spent the entirety of his career so far in the Netherlands. Born in Samos, Greece, Velanas subsequently joined the youth system of VV Jonathan after moving to Holland at a young age, before he was later snapped up by Utrecht in July 2013. Holding both Dutch and Greek citizenship, the central midfielder has already played for the Netherlands at U17, U18, and U19 level, but the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) is reportedly interested in persuading him to represent Greece.
Reports from Sport 24 have suggested that the EPO is aware of Velanas’ progression with Utrecht. However, at the time of writing, they are yet to contact the prospect. Velanas has scored one goal in seven appearances for the under 19 Dutch national team.
Playing in the centre of midfield, Velanas boasts the ability to cut apart opposing defences with his clinical passes, often scoring important goals too. In the current campaign, he competed in 21 matches in the Eerste Divisie for Utrecht’s second team, registering an impressive tally of seven goals and six assists. The Eerste Divisie is the second tier of Dutch football behind the Eredivisie.
Velanas initially made his debut for the senior Utrecht team in August 2017 during a 2-0 triumph over Willem II in the league:
With the management holding plenty of faith in Velanas’ potentia, Utrecht decided to extend his contract last week, an agreement which runs until the summer of 2022:
The effective manner in which Velanas provides a link between defence and attack is certainly encouraging. In the second half of the previous season, Velanas was sent on loan to Helmond Sport, but Utrecht now feel that he will develop a lot quicker if he remains at the club. We can expect to see Utrecht head coach, John van den Brom, gradually begin to introduce Velanas to the senior side during the 2020/2021 campaign.
BAZDRIGIANNIS IMPRESSING IN BAYERN ACADEMY
18-year-old winger, Alexander Bazdrigiannis, has caught the eye with his performances for the Bayern Munich youth team. The teenager has been a part of the Bayern academy since transferring to the club six years ago.
Capable of playing in any position across the forward line, Bazdrigiannis is flexible with plenty of flair, and Greece has long been crying out for a gifted winger. Taking into account his age, we have to be careful not to put too much expectations on his shoulders, but the signs are promising. He is yet to play for Greece or Germany at international level.
He is under contract at Bayern until 2021.
