Carroll joins Olympiacos as Costanzo moves on

Olympiacos FC have announced the signing of goalkeeper Roy Carroll from OFI Crete FC as a replacement for Franco Costanzo, who has left the club by mutual consent.

The former Manchester United FC and Northern Ireland custodian Carroll has penned an 18-month contract with the Greek champions, after just four months and 12 league appearances for OFI.

"I am very happy to join such a prestigious club," said the 34-year-old. "It's an honour for me to play for Greece's best team. I will do my best to contribute to Olympiacos's aims and I am looking forward to returning to European competition in the UEFA Europa League."

Carroll first came to prominence with Wigan Athletic FC before spending four seasons with Manchester United, who he helped win the 2003 Premier League title and the FA Cup the following year. Subsequent spells at West Ham United FC, Derby County FC and Odense BK followed, before the goalkeeper, who has been capped 19 times by Northern Ireland, joined promoted outfit OFI last summer.

Carroll's arrival has coincided with departure of Franco Costanzo. The 31-year old Argentinian keeper was signed from FC Basel 1893 in June to fill the void left by the retired Antonis Nikopolidis last summer, but lost his first-team place to the 21-year-old Hungarian Balázs Megyeri.

Olympiacos narrowly missed out on qualifying from their UEFA Champions League group after finishing third in their section despite beating Arsenal FC on matchday six. Ernesto Valverde's side travel to FC Rubin Kazan for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League tie on 14 February with the return in Piraeus the following week.