The “Trifylli” has officially confirmed Anastasios Bakasetas as its newest player, with the Greece captain signing a deal until 2027.
Bakasetas joins the Greens after four years in Turkey, having had spells with Alanyaspor (2019-2021) and Trabzonspor (2021-2024), and the playmaker is said to become the highest paid Greek player in the Super League.
Panathinaikos reportedly paid Trabzonspor a fee of €1 million to land the Greek star’s signature, a big play from Panathinaikos among a list of new acquisitions this January as they look to win their first league championship in 15 years.
Speaking to media at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Athens, Bakasetas expressed his joy in embarking on this new chapter of his life with the Greens.
“It is a new challenge, something I was looking for in my career…I am very happy that I will be a Panathinaikos player, the rest we will say in the stadiums,” Bakasetas said.
The former AEK midfielder stressed the significance of Fatih Terim being the coach in him making the decision to join the club, having learnt firsthand during his time in Turkey how big of a legend he is.
“We have gone up against each other several times as opponents (him as a player and Terim as a coach), I think there is a mutual respect and I know he did a lot to bring me to Panathinaikos.”
The Greek captain admitted that a return to Greece was not something he expected but that the strong interest from the “Trifylli” convinced him to make the switch.
He expressed thanks to Trabzonspor and said that there will always be a special place in his heart for the side, with whom he won the club’s first league title in 38 years in the 2021/22 season.
Bakasetas could feature for the club as early as their upcoming league derby against first-placed PAOK this weekend, which would be a very high-profile debut for the star playmaker if selected.
