OFI announces loan signing of defender Dimitris Nikolaou from Palermo
Greek Super League club OFI confirmed the loan acquisition of Greek international centre‑back Dimitris Nikolaou from Italian side Palermo FC until the summer of 2027. The 28‑year‑old defender returns to Greece after more than seven years in Italy, having played for Empoli, Spezia, Bari and most recently Palermo, accumulating over 240 professional appearances and featuring in UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches.
At the same time OFI announced the signing of Spanish forward Aitor Cantalapiedra Fernández on a two‑year contract. Aitor arrived in Heraklion on 26 July 2026, passed his medical and joined the squad’s pre‑season camp in the Netherlands. He brings experience from clubs such as Barcelona B, Villarreal B, Sevilla Atlético, Twente, Panathinaikos, AEK Larnaca and EC Vitória, with more than 300 career appearances, 75 goals and 48 assists.
Entities: Aitor Cantalapiedra Fernández · Dimitris Nikolaou · OFI Crete Football Club · Palermo FC
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Aitor previously played for Barcelona B, Villarreal B, Sevilla Atlético, Twente, Panathinaikos, AEK Larnaca and EC Vitória. (career history)
- [● 3 SOURCES] OFI announced the loan acquisition of Dimitris Nikolaou from Palermo until summer 2027. (OFI press release)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] OFI signed Spanish forward Aitor Cantalapiedra Fernández on a two‑year contract. (OFI announcement)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Aitor has over 300 professional appearances with 75 goals and 48 assists. (player statistics)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Aitor Cantalapiedra arrived in Heraklion on 26 July 2026 and passed his medical exam. (club report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Nikolaou previously played for Empoli, Spezia, Bari and Palermo in Italy. (career summary)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Dimitris Nikolaou is a 28‑year‑old Greek international centre‑back. (player profile)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Nikolaou has made over 240 professional appearances, including in UEFA competitions. (player statistics)