Panathiniakos has rocked the Greek transfer market with several key signings, exciting their fans and adding intrigue to the forth coming Super League season.
Flamboyant Frenchman Djibril Cisse has signed a four-year deal that will reportedly make the striker the most expensive player in Panathinaikos’ history.
The former Marseille forward put pen to paper on Friday after passing a medical, but Panathinaikos did not reveal financial details of the deal.
However, Greek media speculation has suggested the transfer was the biggest ever seen in Greek soccer.
Cisse will cost Panathinaikos a reported 20 million euros, including 8 million euros to Marseille, and 2.5 million euros a year to the 28-year-old player plus bonuses.
Cisse arrived with his family Thursday on Panathinaikos president Nicholas Pateras’ private jet from Manchester and was greeted by about 3,000 of the club’s supporters at the airport.
“I am very enthusiastic from the welcome and I have not witnessed anything like it in my life. I really didn’t expect nor imagine it,” Cisse said of the turnout. Cisse scored 11 goals in 38 appearances in a loan spell with Sunderland last season, but failed to clinch a permanent move.
Cisse is due to join Panathinaikos’s pre-season training camp in Switzerland next week.
Panathinaikos’ other massive signing on Friday was Greece international midfielder Costas Katsouranis.
The former Benfica player signed a four-year contract that will, according to reports, earn him 1.2 million euros a year.
Katsouranis refrained from making any comments on leaving Panathinaikos offices, saying that he would wait until the all the club’s new signings are officially unveiled before the start of the season.
The 30-year-old headed back to Lisbon to take care of personal affairs before joining with the rest of the squad for pre-season training.
The defensive midfielder has spent the last three seasons in Portugal with Benfica after leaving AEK in 2006.
The midfielder said he was looking forward to playing with his new team mate, Cisse.
“It’s good that quality players are coming to Greece and that the standard of the championship is improving,” said the ex-AEK man. “That’s what we all want to see: Better entertainment.”