Panathinaikos FC announces that an agreement was reached with Stefanos Kotsolis, the experienced goalkeeper, for the signature of a one year contract. Kotsolis will stay in our team until summer 2017, being the team’s oldest member.
Born on June 5, 1979 this goalkeeper started his career at Panathinaikos academy while in January 1998 he was promoted to the first team, where he played 22 times.
In summer 2005 he left Panathinaikos to continue his career initially to FC Larissa -during four years he appeared 121 times- and then to Omonia Nicosia, where he played for a year and a half. In February 2011 he returned to the “Shamrock”, playing since then in 45 matches.
Kotsolis has played 22 times with the Greek National team U 21 and 5 times with the “first” National team.
Immediately after signing, the 37-year old goalkeeper made his first statement, at the official website of Panathinaikos. He mentioned the confidence given to him by Gilberto Silva and Andrea Stramaccioni, making clear that everyone in the team has to correct all the mistakes made and go on to standing out.
“Hard to part with my family”
“It would be hard for me to part with my family, both in my professional and in my personal life. The desire of the coach and especially of Gilberto Silva, who is a huge football personality serving as a model for me both on and off the pitch, was determinant in order to remain in the team”. Kotsolis commented.
“Undoubtedly, there are some wrong issues in our team which led to the poor results of last season. So it is the duty of all those who form part of this season’s team to spread themselves too thin, so that Panathinaikos takes the place he deserves, starting from the European competitions”, he added.
