AEK pick up unattached Kafes
Monday, January 29, 2007
Article summary
AEK Athens FC have signed the 28-year-old Greek international midfield player Pantelis Kafes on a free transfer after he was released by Olympiacos CFP.
Article body
EURO squad
The 28-year-old has inked a two-and-a-half year contract with AEK, which commits him to the capital club until June 2009. An unused member of Greece's triumphant UEFA EURO 2004™ squad, Kafes made his name at PAOK FC before joining Olympiacos in the summer of 2003.
Greek ambitions
"I really wanted to join AEK Athens," he said. "It's the best choice for my career because it will allow me to continue playing at a high level in Greece. This team has high ambitions, like competing for the league title and a UEFA Champions League berth."
Odd coincidence
Kafes's AEK debut should come against Olympiacos on 4 February. He said: "It's bizarre, but when I moved from PAOK to Olympiacos, my first match was against my former team and I scored in that game. Olympiacos is a closed chapter in my career. I am an AEK player now and I will do my best to help my new side achieve their goals."
European test
The midfielder is AEK's first signing of the winter transfer window. The Athens team are second in the Greek Super League, eight points behind leaders Olympiacos. AEK take on Paris Saint-Germain FC in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 next month.
