Sotiris Kyrgiakos (AEK Athens)

I'm joining Liverpool, claims defender Kyrgiakos

Greece defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos has claimed he is set for a surprise move to Liverpool from AEK Athens - however his club said there was no agreement in place.

Sotiris Kyrgiakos

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Sotiris Kyrgiakos: Greek heading to Anfield

The 30-year-old centre-back said farewell to his team-mates ahead of AEK's departure to Romania for the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie against SC Vaslui.

Kyrgiakos said on his personal website that he is on his way to Anfield.

"I would like to inform the fans of AEK that on Monday night I received an offer from Liverpool, an offer which I have accepted," he said.

"I understand this has come at the worst possible time ahead of the crucial games for qualification to the Europa League, but the fact that I will play for Liverpool is like a qualification in itself for me. I have taken my final decision which was accepted by the president and the coach."

However it appears the clubs have not agreed on a fee at this stage.

An AEK club statement announced: "At this moment there is no final agreement between AEK and Liverpool FC."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been keen to buy a centre-back to ease the club's injury problems before the transfer window shuts.

However Liverpool's American owners are believed to be refusing to release funds for such a deal.

Benitez was today asked several times at his media conference ahead of tomorrow's match against Stoke to explain his cash-flow problems, but on each occasion he said: "I do not want to discuss money."

Kyrgiakos, who has 49 caps for Greece, will be joining his sixth club if the transfer is completed.

The tough-tackling defender, admired for his combative style and aerial ability, has had successful spells at Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt but has not played in England to date.
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"Combative style and aerial ability"

I like it.

It says the owners are refusing to release funds, what the F**k does that mean, do they want us to play without a centre back, he'll cost no more than 3mill. the time may come soon to hit these people in the place they won't like, their pockets, this cannot go on....

hey,guys,stay cool!!! i know kyrgiakos very well. i am Greek. he has great aerial abillity,he can score with his head. he is very dynamic CB. he is very very strong and he can be the bad guy of the match. he is like a street fighter. he can drives you crazy with nerves and he can stay calm. although you believe that he will be the fourth choice of Rafa,i have different opinion. wait and you will see.he has played in Panathinaikos many years in CL and he is very experienced.
i am sure that you will remember me very soon. just give him a chance and help him to feel like his home.

Holy crap. Not another pony tailed star ...I wish him the best!

How will we ever pronounce his name?

I also remember him from his Rangers days but he was really unimpressive at the time so it doesn't really fill me with much confidence about this potential signing even though the reality is he will play around 15 games unless major injury crisis. I thought the same about Riera though who did prove me wrong and turn out to be a decent player so lets see I guess.

He may not be a dream signing but if we have to bring someone in (which we do) better to get a giant with experience than anything else.  We''ll turn and sell him for profit guaranteed.

He would be a good buy a lad with some experience is what our squad is in need off at the moment.

I'm joining Liverpool, claims defender Kyrgiakos

Greece defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos has claimed he is set for a surprise move to Liverpool from AEK Athens - however his club said there was no agreement in place.

The 30-year-old centre-back said farewell to his team-mates ahead of AEK's departure to Romania for the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie against SC Vaslui.

Kyrgiakos said on his personal website that he is on his way to Anfield.

"I would like to inform the fans of AEK that on Monday night I received an offer from Liverpool, an offer which I have accepted," he said.

"I understand this has come at the worst possible time ahead of the crucial games for qualification to the Europa League, but the fact that I will play for Liverpool is like a qualification in itself for me. I have taken my final decision which was accepted by the president and the coach."

However it appears the clubs have not agreed on a fee at this stage.

An AEK club statement announced: "At this moment there is no final agreement between AEK and Liverpool FC."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been keen to buy a centre-back to ease the club's injury problems before the transfer window shuts.

However Liverpool's American owners are believed to be refusing to release funds for such a deal.

Benitez was today asked several times at his media conference ahead of tomorrow's match against Stoke to explain his cash-flow problems, but on each occasion he said: "I do not want to discuss money."

Kyrgiakos, who has 49 caps for Greece, will be joining his sixth club if the transfer is completed.

The tough-tackling defender, admired for his combative style and aerial ability, has had successful spells at Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt but has not played in England to date.

Source: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=668740&cc=3436

There allready is a thread about him.

Well I doubt he possesses the same anticipation and positioning Sami did, but he is the same height who know's maybe he'll be a massive threat from corners and get us 10 goals this season! Or atleast one.

he wont get a single one if we keep going with stevie at corners ^^

and to every hater: give him a break, let him play at least one game, then talk. plus, as far as I remember, greece won an euro basing its game on a defense-relying system so why all the noise...

This is a joke, Benitez is NUTS. Don't listen to what other Greeks are saying, this guy is over the hill and NOT Liverpool material. For f*ck's sake, he wasn't Liverpool material even when he was at his best! These days he's just a hot-head who sells himself as the 'tough guy' on the pitch (gotta sell something, especially to the fans).

By the way, the 3 mil euro was his buy-out clause.

Since most Olympiakos fans also support Liverpool, you should see the anger this has caused in our forums (I'm enjoying it actually ).

PS I am a bit biased obviously, but this transfer just doesn't make any sense...

I just wish he will "magically" become another Vidic 

Or, better still, another Sami, eh?  : F**k Vidic and the horse he rode in on. Sotiris, as a Red, will be given my full support.

Yankees go home!

Having watched him whilst he played at the Huns against my team Hibs I can confirm that he is indeed a bombscare, but as stated before the yank clowns have Rafa's hands tied when it comes to transfer money, unless they are preparing one last big money move before the window shuts, David Villa anybody.  

Looks like were shopping at netto like the blue sh*te ,YANKS OUT  !

hello lads, this is dimitris from athens greece, a panathinaikos fan and of course a lfc fan
kyrgiakos is a great player.tall, tough, aggressive, strong as a horse, a real tower!!!!!!it fits to english football, great choice!!!YNWA

Dont know anything about him, cant remember him at Rangers either so have to hope he makes the grade as some other better informed posters on here have said he could do a job so most of us will have to take their word I suppose.

hello lads, this is dimitris from athens greece, a panathinaikos fan and of course a lfc fan
kyrgiakos is a great player.tall, tough, aggressive, strong as a horse, a real tower!!!!!!it fits to english football, great choice!!!YNWA

Hello Fireman, welcome to the forum, Im also newish here, what about his pace and reading of the game - can you comment?

he used to play for my team, panathinaikos from 1998 to 2004. he is the best greek stopper, he is 1.95m or so, he is a very passionate and hot tempered player.sometimes that created problems in the past, if he controls his temper he will be a super hero of defence.i dunno what rafa wants from him, is he going to be a bencher?

Well looking at that source I guess it's a done deal?

Yes he will be brought in as cover but we have so many games he may well start the Carling Cup matches and maybe some of the early FA Cup games depending on the draw of course.

Is he a quick defender...

Would anyone like to clear up the pronunciation of his name please?

well,you cant call him really quick, he is very physical in his game though.he is a very passionate player.i think he will win the Kop