Olympiakos Summer Transfers 2022/23 Part 2

By Stephen Kountouoru

With so many incoming signings this season here is part two of the Olympiakos transfer window saga. 

James Rodríguez

Attacking Midfield

31 years old from Colombia

From Al-Rayyan SC on a free transfer 

Another former Real Madrid player joined Olympiakos in the form of James Rodriguez, arguably almost as big a signing as Marcelo. The Columbian international joined Thrylos initially on loan from Qatari Stars League side Al-Rayyan SC, after being convinced to join the Greek champions by Marcelo. The loan, however, was made permanent after the Qatari side cancelled his contract and Rodriguez arrived in Piraeus on a free transfer. 

The attacking midfielder had a rather stop-start campaign with Al-Rayyan as they finished midtable during the 2021/22 season. The Columbian made only 14 appearances in all competitions where he did create five goals and seven assists. However, he was in an out of the squad throughout much of the season with injuries, just making over one thousand minutes in that time. 

James since he joined Olympiakos made his debut in a 2-1 defeat to Aris in Thessaloniki. Still, he showed his class during the first half of that game and was lively as Thrylos went ahead in that game. While he is not part of the European squad due to signing after the squad deadline, the 30-year-old will still be able to contribute fully to the Olympiakos league season. If they manage to stay in Europe for 2023 then James will reenter the European stage in the red and white of the Greek champions. 

Cédric Bakambu

Striker 

31 years old from DR Congo

From Olympique Marseille on a free transfer

One that has already made a big impression on his full debut, DR Congolese striker Cédric Bakambu arrived in Piraeus on a free transfer from French giants Marseille. The 31-year-old upon singing for Olympiakos came with a good reputation in the past for his goal-scoring ability with some even calling him their heir to El Arabi.

After arriving in France during the January transfer window, Bakambu had a difficult time in Ligue 1, as he was in and out of the squad and didn't even manage to play a full 90 minutes, even coming on as an impact substitute. During the second half of the 2021/22 season, however, he did manage to score four and assist once in 21 appearances in all competitions and doing so in just under 800 minutes. 

Bakambu made his debut against Aris, coming off the bench in a 2-1 loss to the Thessaloniki side. In his full debut, however, Bakambu was almost unplayable. Against Antrmitos he had a hat full of chances, finally scoring just before the break via penalty. He then doubled his team's lead after being picked out by Matheu Valbuena to slot it home as Olympiakos won 2-0. While he, like many other players signed in September, is not part of the European squad, the early signs suggest that the striker can help take Olympiakos back to a place that they are more accustomed to domestically. 

Diadié Samassékou

Defensive Midfield

26 years old from Mali

From TSG Hoffenheim on loan

A bit of a surprise signing when it happened, the Mali international joined Olympiakos on loan from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. The main purpose of bringing Samassékou was to provide some much-needed cover at holding midfield with Yann M’Vila the only out and out number six in the squad. 

The 26-year-old was a prevalent part of a Hoffenheim side that finished the 2021/22 Bundesliga season in midtable. In total he managed 25 games in all competitions, scoring twice and assisting once in that time.

The Malian midfielder recently made his debut by coming off the bench in a 2-0 win over Atromitos and it is assumed Thrylos fans will see much more of him to give the ever-present M'Vila a much-needed rest when possible. 

Pajtim Kasami

Centre Midfielder 

30 years old from Switzerland

From Basil on a free transfer

After five years away, fan favourite Pajtim Kasami returned to Olympiakos on the free transfer deadline day. After leaving FC Basil at the end of his contract rumours were flying for months about Kasami’s return to Piraeus. Upon resigning for Thrylos, the Swiss midfielder supposedly burst into tears such was his happiness for returning to the club he called home after years away and a few failed returns previously. 

Kasami enjoyed a very active role in Basil’s midfield last season, with the Swiss side finishing second in the 2021/22 campaign and reaching the round of 16 in the Europa Conference League. The 30-year-old who became a prevalent goal scorer since arriving in the swiss capital in 2020, last season managed six goals and six assists in 46 appearances in all competitions. 

Having only just resigned to play under former coach Michel, Kasami will probably be given time to gain full match fitness before featuring for Olympiakos domestically, but I am sure there will be much celebration upon his entrance onto the pitch again for the man who wore the red and white with pride and showed that in every game.  

Alexandros Paschalakis

Goalkeeper

33 Years Old from Greece

From PAOK on a free transfer 

For the final signing of this transfer window, thankfully, Alexandros Paschalakis returned to Olympiakos after previously being a youth player in the Greek champion's academy. The link was there ever since the end of last season with a mixed response to the news that Paschalakis might join Thrylos from league rivals PAOK. After the long-term injury to starting keeper Tomas Vaclik on international duty, however, the club decided another goalkeeper was needed. The 33-year-old, who turned down the likes of Marseille during the transfer window was given the green light and he returned to Piraeus, this time as a senior player.

For the Thessaloniki side, last season the greek international was the number one between the sticks playing almost every minute for PAOK as they finished 2nd in the Super League, reached the Greek Cup final and even got to the Europa Conference League quarter-finals. Overall, Paschalakis played 55 games in all competitions and kept 20 clean sheets which work out to just under one every other game.

With Vaclik injured, Kristiannson not favoured and Tzolakis given the nod to be the starting keeper, it will be interesting to see exactly what role Paschalakis will play for Olympiakos this season.

@SteveKountourou

Hellas Football