Former Greece international Kostas Katsouranis is poised to pull on a Heidelberg United shirt after the Victorian Premier League side signed him for its quarter-final FFA Cup clash against Melbourne City.
Katsouranis – who featured for Greece at Brazil 2014 and was part of its winning Euro 2004 side – has lifted morale around the club.
“Everyone around the club is going crazy,” Heidelberg coach George Katsakis told foxsports.com.au
“No one can believe it eventuated.”
“I’m obviously excited to have a player of that calibre represent our team and, more importantly for me, to play under my direction – it’s unbelievable, I’m very excited.”
Katsouranis played for the national side 116 times, and has featured for Greek clubs Atromitos, Panachaiki, AEK, PAOK and Panathinaikos, as well as Benfica and Indian Super League side Pune City.
“[Melbourne] being a highly Greek population set the scene for it,” Katsakis said. “Knowing the community was right behind it, we thought of someone of that magnitude. It was very important for us to get it over the line.”
“Being a servant of the Greek community, he’s excited to see the patriotism that we have in Australia. He wants to experience it. I’m hoping he’ll relate to the occasion and rise to it.”
The signing is a major coup for the FFA Cup, with the club validating the sentiment in a press release.
“Heidelberg United FC are pleased to announce Greece international midfielder Kostas Katsouranis will join the club for its upcoming Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Final against Melbourne City FC on Tuesday 29 September 2015 at the historic Olympic Village (Kick-Off 8pm AEST),” the statement read.
“Katsouranis will be arriving in Melbourne soon with the date to be confirmed and is excited about the prospect of assisting Heidelberg United FC in its Westfield FFA Cup campaign.”
Katsouranis made 485 appearances at European club level, scoring 85 goals.
