Papastathopoulos is set for a move to Genoa
AEK central defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos will continue his soccer career in the Italian league as Genoa has agreed to pay 3.8 million for his services. Although AEK had not announced the player’s move to Italy until last night, reports suggested that negotiations between the two clubs ended in agreement, just before Ajax Amsterdam intervened. Papastathopoulos may actually get to face AEK as a Genoa player on Friday, when the two teams play each other in a friendly. This is a major move in the Greek international’s career and he will be the country’s sole representative in Italian soccer as of the new season. It is also the transfer AEK needed to find the funds required to sign an experienced defender, after the departure of Traianos Dellas. The new signee is none other than Sotiris Kyrgiakos. The former Eintracht Frankfurt player had discussed his possible return to Greek soccer and a deal with AEK is close. He will sign a three-year contract for about 1 million euros a season. AEK had also set its sights on Greece defensive midfielder Angelos Basinas, but the ex-Mallorca player is reportedly on the verge of signing with Olympiakos. The champion’s coach, Ernesto Valverde, needed a defensive midfielder for the team and Basinas was just the ticket for him as he is a free agent. He is known to Valverde from his career in Spain and has not received any other attractive offers so far. PAO lands Melissis Panathinaikos agreed yesterday to buy PAOK central defender Christos Melissis, according to reports. The young player cost the Greens 2 million euros plus the concession of left-back Philippos Darlas to the Thessaloniki club. Melissis is expected in Athens today to complete his transfer. The club is still chasing French central defender Gael Givet, while expecting the arrival of Flamengo’s Brazilian striker Rodrigo de Souza Cardoso in Greece today.
