Katsouranis joins Santos at Benfica
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Article summary
Greece midfielder Konstantinos Katsouranis has followed coach Fernando Santos to SL Benfica after signing a long-term deal with the Portuguese Liga outfit.
Article body
Greek international Konstantinos Katsouranis has followed coach Fernando Santos to SL Benfica after signing a four-year deal with the Portuguese Liga outfit.
Mutual appreciation
The 27-year-old midfielder has worked under Santos for the last two seasons at AEK Athens FC and arrives at the Estádio da Luz just a month after the coach. "I chose Benfica because I know the coach very well and he knows me," he explained. "Benfica are a great club and I am taking the opportunity of a lifetime by signing for such a big club."
Fond memories
Katsouranis will have fond memories of his new home, the Estádio da Luz, where he played a crucial part in Greece's triumph at UEFA EURO 2004™. But he could make his debut in the more familiar surroundings of the Athens Olympic stadium after the teams agreed to play a friendly on 1 August. Katsouranis will be sorely missed by AEK, for whom he scored 29 goals in 110 league games after joining from Panahaiki GC in 2002.
