Real Betis Balompié has confirmed negotiations for the incorporation of veteran Greek center-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos, news that has captured the attention of football fans. At 35 years old, Sokratis has been without a team since he did not renew his contract with Olympiacos last summer, ending a successful two-and-a-half-season spell with the Greek club.
This news comes at a crucial time for Betis, as the team finds itself in an emergency situation in defense after Marc Bartra’s injury, which left the team with few options at the back. The Greek center-back, known for his forcefulness and experience, arrives as a valuable reinforcement for the green and white team, who have been struggling to remain competitive in La Liga and the Cup, as pointed out by the newspaper AS.
He will not be able to play in Europe
Despite not being able to participate in the upcoming Europa League matches with Betis, Sokratis is expected to be available for local competitions once he signs with the team. However, before his debut, the player will have to get in shape after several months without training in a team.
Sokratis’ career is impressive, spanning almost 18 years in professional football which began when he joined AEK Athens at the age of 17. He has played for several top clubs in Europe, including Milan, Borussia Dortmund, and Arsenal. His experience and quality are assets that Betis hopes to take advantage of in their fight for a successful season.
