One of the Best - Predrag Djordjevic
When you mention the name Predrag Djordjevic to Olympiakos supporters most will smile and reminisce about the glory days when he was at the club and how a player signed from the lower leagues in Greece would go on and become of the clubs best ever foreign players.
Signed in a combined deal with Stelios Giannakopoulos from Paniliakos in the mid 90's after successive promotions with the club he would go on to form a neat combination on the left hand side of the field with Georgatos. Not afraid to take on defenders and shoot he would always chip in with vital goals or assists when need be and was noted for his deadly free kicks. His cool calm demeanor meant no matter what was in front of him he would not shirk away from the task. Within his first five seasons at Olympiakos he had already amassed 50 goals which was an amazing return considering he was not an out and out striker. His skills and form was not only shown in the Alpha Ethniki as he would regularly score goals and assist teammates in European competitions including his stunning hat trick in the 6-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen.
Amazingly as he got older his skills would mature like fine wine which culminated in the then 34 year old being selected to play for his nation in the 2006 World Cup. The following season would be one to cherish as Olympiakos won its tenth title with him as captain making him the first foreigner to achieve such a fete.
The last few years of his career he would entertain the idea that every season would be his last but his fantastic form and mutual love for the club and fans meant he would play on till the end of the 2009 season, and retire at the age of 36.
During his time at Olympiakos he won 3 consecutive foreign player of the year awards and would go on to be voted the best ever foreign player in Greece. He scored 126 goals in 344 matches winning a host of trophies along the way including 12 Alpha Ethniki titles, 5 Greek Cups and 1 Greek Super Cup.
His love for Greece wasn't just football as he married a Greek lady and received Greek citizenship. At a time when Greek football was hitting highs with a variety of ready made superstars coming to our league he was one that mastered his craft and showed that he could match it and even be better than the best and we can only hope that many more of his type try their luck in the Greek Super league and use his determination to succeed as a blueprint for their own success.
By George for Hellas Football
Signed in a combined deal with Stelios Giannakopoulos from Paniliakos in the mid 90's after successive promotions with the club he would go on to form a neat combination on the left hand side of the field with Georgatos. Not afraid to take on defenders and shoot he would always chip in with vital goals or assists when need be and was noted for his deadly free kicks. His cool calm demeanor meant no matter what was in front of him he would not shirk away from the task. Within his first five seasons at Olympiakos he had already amassed 50 goals which was an amazing return considering he was not an out and out striker. His skills and form was not only shown in the Alpha Ethniki as he would regularly score goals and assist teammates in European competitions including his stunning hat trick in the 6-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen.
Amazingly as he got older his skills would mature like fine wine which culminated in the then 34 year old being selected to play for his nation in the 2006 World Cup. The following season would be one to cherish as Olympiakos won its tenth title with him as captain making him the first foreigner to achieve such a fete.
The last few years of his career he would entertain the idea that every season would be his last but his fantastic form and mutual love for the club and fans meant he would play on till the end of the 2009 season, and retire at the age of 36.
During his time at Olympiakos he won 3 consecutive foreign player of the year awards and would go on to be voted the best ever foreign player in Greece. He scored 126 goals in 344 matches winning a host of trophies along the way including 12 Alpha Ethniki titles, 5 Greek Cups and 1 Greek Super Cup.
His love for Greece wasn't just football as he married a Greek lady and received Greek citizenship. At a time when Greek football was hitting highs with a variety of ready made superstars coming to our league he was one that mastered his craft and showed that he could match it and even be better than the best and we can only hope that many more of his type try their luck in the Greek Super league and use his determination to succeed as a blueprint for their own success.
By George for Hellas Football
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