Olympiacos sign Durmaz as Samaris joins Benfica

Olympiacos FC have announced the signing of Jimmy Durmaz from Gençlerbirliği SK, having allowed Andreas Samaris to depart for SL Benfica.

The 25-year-old Swedish international winger Durmaz has reportedly penned a four-year deal with the Greek champions, who begin the defence of their Greek Super League title on Saturday at home to newly-promoted Niki Volou.

Jimmy Durmaz has 17 caps©AFP

"It's a dream come true for me to be here and to get the opportunity to participate in the UEFA Champions League with Olympiacos. Our aim is to win more titles and I hope I can help the team secure their 42nd Greek league," said Durmaz, who spent four years at Malmö FF before moving to Turkey in the summer of 2012. He broke into the Sweden setup in 2011 and currently has 17 caps.

Meanwhile Samaris, also 25, has signed a five-year deal with the Portuguese champions after they agreed a reported €10m fee with Olympiacos. The midfielder arrives at the Eagles after helping Greece to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, taking his tally of caps to seven in the process, and joins fellow former Olympiacos midfielder in Lisbon after his switch last summer. Samaris scored four goals in 28 appearances in his only season at the Piraeus club, having made his name over four years at Panionios GSS.

Benfica and Olympiacos will start their UEFA Champions League campaigns in the group stage and will find out their opponents during Friday's draw in Monaco.