Greek centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos has signed with English Premier League side West Ham United on a five-year contract.
Dinos, as he’s affectionally known as, has been picked out of Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart in Germany and will now bring his talents back to the Premier League after having previously played for Arsenal.
The 25-year-old was one of the only highlights of a poor season for the German club, averaging 3.5 clearances and 49.7 passes per game, and despite missing six of the regular Bundesliga matches he recorded the most intercepts league wide with 63.
“I am really happy and excited to be here – and to be back in the Premier League with West Ham United,” said the new No 15.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining the Club after last season’s Conference League win – and I am really looking forward to the next step in my career. I can promise the fans I will give everything for them and the shirt.”
A familiar city, a famous philosophy, a new legacy ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/vX5PrpOdkj
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 22, 2023
Having made 19 national appearances for Greece and four in the Under 21s, Mavropanos becomes the first ever Greek to pull on the Claret and Blue.
The Athens-born defender becomes the 29th Greek player in Premier League history and one of the three to currently find themselves running around the top league in England, joining the likes of Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas and Sheffield United’s George Baldock.
The tall defender, who has an affinity with kicking goals, despite his position, wouldn’t surprise many that he was once a striker in his early years.
Mavropanos started his career with local Athens club Apollon Smyrnis at 10 years old before getting his professional start in 2016 at PAS Giannina.
After 16 appearances in the Greek Super League, he was poached by Arsenal in 2018, and in 2020 was loaned to German side 1. FC Nürnberg. He earned a contract extension with the Gunners and was loaned to Stuttgart, eventually transferring there.
The lowdown on our new centre-back 🔎
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 22, 2023
He’ll now play for the Hammers, whose manager David Moyes shared his pleasure in bringing the Greek to West Ham.
“I’m pleased to welcome Konstantinos to West Ham United,” he said.
“We’ve been looking to add to our centre-half options this summer, so it’s good we’ve been able to bring in an international defender of his ability.
“We’re really looking forward to integrating him into the group.”
West Ham currently sit seventh on the EPL table after two matches, with one win and a draw, recently defeating Chelsea 3-1 and will next play Brighton on Sunday August 27.
