Olympiacos bank on Georgiadis

Natural replacement
The 31-year-old midfield player has signed a two-year deal with his new club. He arrives as a natural replacement in right midfield for Stylianos Giannakopoulos, who has joined Bolton Wanderers FC.

Contract terminated
Olympiacos's ninth signing of the closed season, Georgiadis had been given permission by the Hellenic Football League (EPEA) to terminate his contract with PAOK due to unpaid wages. He expressed sorrow at leaving his old club behind, but was also eager to get started at Olympiacos.

'Difficult decision'
"I am very satisfied," he said. "I will do my best to justify the faith bestowed in me. It was a very difficult decision to leave PAOK, because I grew to love the squad, the fans and the city of Thessaloniki. But I had a hard time financially and the offer from Olympiacos came at the right time. I have joined a team full of wonderful players, but I am not intimidated by the competition."

European success
The Greek international made a name for himself at Panathinaikos FC, where he was part of the team that reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 1995/96. He had a spell in England with Premiership club Newcastle United FC before returning to Greece in 1999 to join PAOK.

Parting gift
He was a great success in Thessaloniki, and was third top scorer in last season's Alpha Ethniki with 14 goals. However, perhaps his greatest gift to the club was the goal he scored in the final of this season's Greek Cup as PAOK overcame local rivals Aris Thessaloniki FC 1-0.