The bomb that Michalis Bousis announced early Tuesday morning on Social Media is Taxiarchis Fountas.
The Greek international midfielder, who was released yesterday by Trabzonspor, is the player that OFI has been in talks with over the past few days, aiming to make a splash. This was also mentioned during the last update to journalists by Traianos Dellas.
This is a case that is not easy due to the 28-year-old player’s salary, but according to information, it is now close and it is very likely that it will be announced by the Cretan team within the day.
Throughout this period, OFI had primarily focused on acquiring a central defender from abroad, but the case of the international Greek forward arose, and it was an opportunity they couldn’t let slip away as they wanted a transfer that would “excite” the fans and boost season ticket sales, which are currently in the triple-digit range. Fountas had mentioned in a recent interview that his main concern, as well as that of his family, was to return to Greece, and OFI gives him this opportunity.
Fountas is an active international (his last appearance was last November in a friendly match against New Zealand), having made a total of 18 appearances with one goal and two assists. In the Greek league since 2017, when he played for Panionios. In the Super League , he has also played for AEK and Astera Tripolis, while he has played abroad for Salzburg, Rapid Vienna, D.C. United, and during the last season, he made 35 appearances for Trabzonspor, scoring six goals and providing two assists.
Fountas is well known to Traianos Dellas, who had him as a player at AEK during the 2012-13 season, and naturally, his presence played a role in the approach and the agreement between the two sides.