AEK signs two but sells one
AEK has bolstered its squad ahead of the new season with the signings of experienced Greece internationals Angelos Basinas and Sotiris Kyrgiakos but has had to sell rising star Sokratis Papastathopoulos. Basinas, the captain of the national team, agreed to join on a three-year deal, while Kyrgiakos signed a five-year contract on Friday. Both players joined on free transfers, which suits the limited finances of AEK, compared to title rivals Olympiakos and Panathinaikos. AEK’s new manager Giorgos Donis has not been able to splash out in the summer transfer market like his crosstown rivals and has been looking for cheaper deals. The signings of Basinas and Kyrgiakos should help add some experience to the AEK squad as it prepares for another try at the Super League following an attempt that fell just short last year. Donis, however, will have to do without the services of 20-year-old Papastathopoulos, who was sold to Italian club Genoa for 3.8 million euros.
