Olympiakos announced this week it has secured former Argentine international striker Javier Saviola for the next two years, in what is arguably the biggest transfer in Greek soccer since the eruption of the financial crisis three years ago.
The 31-year-old arrived in Athens on Wednesday and shook hands with president Vangelis Marinakis in the evening after being greeted by hundreds of delirious Olympiakos fans outside the club’s headquarters in Piraeus.
“El Conejo” (the Rabbit) will reportedly get 2 million euros per year for playing with the Greek champion, while the total cost of the signing, including bonuses, taxes and payments of agents will rise to 6 million euros.
Olympiakos confirmed he will be wearing the jersey number 9.
Saviola has 40 caps with Argentina, the last one being in 2007, and has scored 11 international goals including a hat trick in the 2004 Copa America.
He has also won an Olympic gold medal in Athens, at the 2004 Olympics.
He has plied his trade in such powerhouses as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Malaga in Spain, as well as Benfica in Portugal, Monaco in the French league and River Plate in Argentina.