Aris Thessaloniki heads to Italy for pre‑season training, seeks defensive reinforcements

Aris Thessaloniki’s summer pre‑season will continue in Italy. After a morning training session on 20 July, the squad will travel on the morning of 21 July to a training centre near Brescia, where the second stage of its preparation runs until 31 July. The programme includes friendly matches against Serie A side Atalanta on 26 July and AC Monza on 30 July.

Coach Michalis Grigoriou said the team’s main priority is to close the “large gaps” in defence. “We are waiting for moves for the defence,” he told reporters before the departure, adding that the club is in advanced talks to sign a left‑back and a central defender. The club’s management is also preparing official announcements of new signings, aiming to strengthen the right‑back, left‑back and midfield positions that suffered recent departures.

The camp is intended to improve tactical cohesion and avoid injuries before the domestic season starts. The Greek side hopes that the Italian stint and the upcoming friendlies will reveal any remaining weaknesses and allow the necessary transfers to be completed before the end of the pre‑season.