A summer like no other
Greek football fans have witnessed a summer transfer window unlike any other.
Numerous Greek internationals have taken the next step in their careers by joining massive clubs in some of Europe’s best leagues.
Even the fees paid for our Ethniki stars are unlike anything we have seen in one window before.
This has caught the attention of other football supporters, publications and content creators, who knew less about the talent coming out of Greece until recently.
I believe the catalyst was when Greece defeated Scotland at Hampden Park in the 2025 Nations League promotion/relegation playoffs.
Ivan Jovanovic fielded an unfamiliar starting 11, with Karetsas, Konstantelias and Tzolis, who hammered the Tartan Army 0-3 in their own backyard.
Suddenly, there was more attention on the emerging talent Greece has produced.
This became the start of people outside of Greece beginning to look at our players more seriously.
Which is why I still want to give my take on all the big transfers that happened this summer for our Greek internationals.
The Lions who became Tigers
Starting with two transfers that have been the most polarising amongst Greek football supporters.
Hull City acquired both Konstantinos Tzolakis for €23.3 million and Christos Mouzakitis for €15 million from Olympiakos.
The Tigers are not only a newly promoted side, having won the Championship playoffs last season.
They are also the most fancied for relegation, with their squad the weakest in the division.
I think the scepticism stems from Ethniki fans wanting our talented players to go where their careers can progress and develop without the fear of relegation.
With that being said, after the first three Premier League matches, Tzolakis has started the season on fire.
Hull have not conceded at the time of writing, defeating Manchester United on the opening day, beating Coventry and holding Aston Villa to a 0-0 draw.
Tzolakis has been a big part of this strong start, making excellent saves to give his side the best chance of staying up.
As for Mouzakitis, the 19-year-old who won the Tuttosport golden boy web award in 2025, was only announced on social media on the 7th of September.
His integration into the squad is expected to be more gradual, and he has since made his debut in their 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in the League Cup
You can imagine, like many Olympiakos supporters, I was devastated to see them both depart in one transfer window.
Personally, I would not have had Hull City as my preferred destination for them.
However, there is still value in the experience of competing in what many describe as the best league in the world.
The new Greek god in Rome
A Greek player at Roma almost feels like the perfect fit.
Konstantinos Koulierakis moved to the Serie A side for €16.5 million plus add-ons.
This continues in the long line of Greeks who have previously played for the Giallorossi, which include:
Lampros Choutos
Traianos Dellas
Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos
Panagiotis Tachtsidis
Vasilios Torosidis
Kostas Manolas
Jose Holebas
Kostas Tsimikas
He is yet to make his full debut for the club, with just a 22-minute cameo in the club’s 4-0 win against Fiorentina.
But manager Gian Piero Gasperini has previously stated that his tactical and physical demands mean most signings require weeks or even months to grasp his system.
After a poor season in the Bundesliga, where Koulierakis was relegated with former club Wolfsburg, this is undoubtedly a move that could help develop the 22-year-old into one of the top centre-backs in Europe.
Dynamic duo in Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund have long been hailed as one of the best clubs in Europe for developing talent until they are ready to compete at a super club.
To say the list of footballers who have touched stardom playing at the Westfalenstadion is extensive would be an understatement.
This is why there was so much excitement surrounding two of Greece’s biggest talents moving to Germany to play for Die Borussen.
First, Konstantinos Karetsas moved from Genk in Belgium for €33 million, including potential performance add-ons.
Towards the end of the window, to the dismay and anger of PAOK supporters, Giannis Konstantelias also made the switch for €32 million, including add-ons.
A potential €65 million spend on two Greek players is unheard of.
While it is still very early days, it has unfortunately been a torrid start for both players.
When they have both played, they have looked excellent, even if Dortmund fans have only seen a brief cameo of Konstantelias in particular.
But the 24-year-old sustaining an ACL injury on his debut was a huge blow for him, his new club and the Ethniki.
Konstantelias will be out for at least six months, and even then he will probably not be match fit until the latter stages of the current season.
Karetsas too has had an injury scare, with the 18-year-old collapsing during Dortmund’s UEFA Champions League opener against Villarreal.
After going to hospital, he has been released.
The club is doing further tests before he takes to the field again.
I still believe that they will come good for the German giants, with both having the potential to light up the Bundesliga.
The new weapon for the Gunners
I had to save the best till last.
The most expensive transfer for a Greek player in the history of the sport, Christos Tzolis joined Arsenal in July for €40 million.
Preseason was a huge success for the 24-year-old, and he has continued to impress since the start of the season.
Strong performances against Manchester City in the Community Shield, Coventry City, Chelsea and Napoli in the Champions League have only further excited supporters.
Tzolis has four assists in five games, and while he is yet to score for Arsenal in a competitive fixture, the goals will come.
The only blemish on his start to life in North London is this recurring narrative surrounding the transfer business the Gunners conducted.
As Tzolis came to play on the left wing, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have left the club.
This means that he is the only player in the Arsenal squad who naturally plays in that position.
Plus, the failed move for Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid has some disappointed, believing the club should have signed an elite-level talent.
It has also called into question whether Tzolis can hit a high enough level to help them retain the title and win the Champions League.
The only validity to this narrative I can see is, of course, Arsenal’s depth on the left wing is light.
Eberechi Eze is a quality player but not an out-and-out winger, and they will undoubtedly look to bolster that position in January.
So for now Tzolis is expected to take the brunt of minutes for his side this season.
But that is exactly why this plays into his hands.
Mikel Arteta himself was impressed by the determination Tzolis showed during negotiations to sign him from Club Brugge.
He has made it clear since he began playing that he does not intend to be second fiddle to anyone.
Sure, Arsenal fans will have wanted an elite player to join the club this summer, but with Tzolis, they already have one in the making.
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