PAOK have announced that the Greece international striker Dimitris Salpigidis is returning to the Thessaloniki club after four years at Panathinaikos.
PAOK, who have qualified for next season’s Champions League for only the second time in their history, announced on the club’s officials website that Salpigidis has signed a four-year deal. He joins on a free transfer after seeing out his contract at Panathinaikos.
The 28-year-old won the league and cup double with the Greens this season and made 174 appearances since joining the Athens club for 1.8 million euros, what was then a record fee for the transfer of a Greek player between two local clubs. Salpigidis scored 56 goals for Panathinaikos.
“Some people have called me crazy for turning down some of the offers I received to return to PAOK,” he said in a statement. “But I’m certain I’ve taken the best decision for my career and I have great ambition and desire to offer whatever I can to the team.”
Salpigidis started his career at PAOK in 1999 and made more than 100 appearances for the club, where he became a goalscoring hero, before moving to Athens. His transfer provoked the anger of many PAOK fans and in his statement, the striker sought to get them on his side.
“I know some people want to hear me say “sorry,” which would be easy to do but does not compare to real actions,” he said. “I would be pleased if people judge me on what I do on the pitch and what I offer to the team.”
(source: sport in greece)
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