Transfer Zone

OFFICIAL: Kostas Katsouranis Joins Panathinaikos From Benfica

Katsouranis is homeward bound after signing for Pana...

Jul 1, 2009 4:33:35 PM

UEFA-Cup: Benfica - Dinamo Bucaresti, Katsouranis (AFP)

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UEFA-Cup: Benfica - Dinamo Bucaresti, Katsouranis (AFP)

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Kostas Katsouranis

Panathinaikos have completed the signing of Benfica midfielder Kostas Katsouranis.

Katsouranis had long been linked with the exit door at the Estadio da Luz after voicing his wish to be closer to his homeland of Greece on several occasions.

The Euro 2004 winner had been tipped to join Hamburg, who even approached the player, but he ultimately opted to sign for the Greek giants.

Katsouranis, who joined Benfica from AEK Athens in 2006, has signed a four-year contract with Panathinaikos after the two clubs agreed a fee believed to be in the region of €3 million.

The holding midfielder, who can also operate as a central defender, is Panathinaikos' fourth summer signing so far, following in the footsteps of Djibril Cisse, Sebastian Leto and Cedric Kante.

Luís Mira, Goal.com