NSW Premier League side Sydney Olympic FC have officially unveiled former Greek international and Liverpool star Sotirios Kyrgiakos as their newest recruit.
NSW Premier League side Sydney Olympic FC have officially unveiled former Greek international and Liverpool star Sotirios Kyrgiakos as their newest recruit.
The 61-time Greek international who played for Rangers, Eintracht Frankfurt, Liverpool, Wolfsburg and AEK Athens will play his first match on Sunday March 23 at Belmore Sports Ground.
Sydney Olympic will play Blacktown Spartans and the weekend coincides with Greek Independence Day celebrations on March 25. Belmore Sports Ground will feature a football match but also a Greek festival atmosphere with Greek food and music.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos- second match will be against St.George on Sunday April 6 at Belmore Sports Ground. The Sydney Olympic management is expecting a big crowd with anyone attending wearing a Sydney Olympic, Greek national team or Liverpool jersey being admitted to the ground free of charge.
The 34-year-old has agreed to play two matches in the second tier of Australian football.
“When I met Sydney Olympic Technical Director, Arthur Diles, in Athens I was instantly excited by the opportunity to visit a country I briefly visited in 2006 when Greece played Australia in Melbourne. Although just a friendly match I will never forget nearly 100,000 people at the stadium that night and the amount of support we had from the Greek Australians,” said Kyrgiakos.
“When I was briefed on the great history of the club and the formation of the Pan-Hellenic Soccer Club in 1957 by Greek migrants, I was on board. Greeks in foreign countries have achieved so much. I am aware of the great progress football is making in Australia, attracting star players like Del Piero, Gallas and Heskey. I cannot wait to play this Sunday."
Football NSW CEO Eddie Moore congratulated Olympic on the new signing.
“Congratulations to Sydney Olympic on being able to attract a world renowned player like Sotirios who has played for some of the biggest teams in England, Germany and Greece as well as representing his country at major football events such as the UEFA European Championships and of course the FIFA World Cup,” Moore said.
“A player of Sotirios- pedigree playing in our IGA National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 competition has only strengthened the message that this will be a memorable year for our sport.”
“I wish Sotirios and the club all the best and hope that the competition can see a packed Belmore Sports Ground come March 23rd.”
Match details:
Sunday, 23 March 2014 Belmore Sports Ground Kick-off: 5pm (Gates open at 1pm)
Sunday, 6 April 2014 Belmore Sports Ground Kick-off: 3pm (Gates open at 11am)