Giannakopoulos to stay in Premier League
Greek midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos will continue his career in the English Premiership at Hull City after the newly promoted side announced on Monday it has signed the midfielder until the end of the season. The 34-year-old player was a free agent after being released by Bolton Wanderers in the summer and attended Hull’s 2-2 draw with Everton in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday. His contract also has an option for a one-year extension. «I am very happy to be a Hull City player. My main aim and dream had been to remain in England and the Premier League and this has been fulfilled with my transfer to Hull,» said Giannakopoulos. «I am not new to the Premier League. I have been in it for five years with Bolton, but I have come to Hull for a new start and another step in my career,» he confessed. «I’m delighted that circumstances have contrived to enable us to enter a win-win relationship,» Hull City Chairman Paul Duffen told BBC Radio Humberside. «He brings a wealth, not only of experience, but potential and ability.» Giannakopoulos was dropped by coach Otto Rehhagel for Greece’s recent World Cup qualifiers and needs to start playing first-team soccer if he is to force his way back onto the national side. «Stelios has an ambition of playing for Greece in the World Cup but is currently without a club,» said Tigers boss Phil Brown prior to the completion of the signing. He is well aware of Giannakopoulos’s ability as he was assistant to Sam Allardyce when the former Olympiakos player joined Bolton. Hull is currently seventh in the Premier League and manager Phil Brown has signed 13 players since the club secured promotion to the top flight in May. «The club is high on the table and I am wishing we can stay up there if not rise higher. There is great ambition and many fans that make so much noise,» said Giannakopoulos. «The team is trying to play attractive soccer and this is one of the reasons I’m here.»
