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36 clusters · 55 sources · 65 days · First seen · Last updated

Panathinaikos 2026 – defensive crisis deepens

Overview

In early June 2026 Panathinaikos entered an intensive planning phase under new coach Giakoump Nistrup, weighing a major squad overhaul. The club pursued Romanian goalkeeper Stefan Tarnovanu and identified several defensive targets, notably Danish left‑back Victor Kristiansen and 25‑year‑old Vasilis Zagaris. Parallel talks about captain Tasos Bakasetas, whose high salary and playing style no longer fit the coach’s system, led to a consensual termination of his contract in mid‑June.

June also saw a wave of departures: five senior players (including right‑back Giannis Kotsiras and midfielder Filip Juricic) left as the club trimmed its wage bill by more than €4.5 million. Technical director Stefanos Kotsolis was appointed to steer the transfer strategy, while the staff added senior aide Dimitris Goumas to support scouting and daily operations.

The summer window brought high‑profile signings. Dutch centre‑back Stefan de Vrij joined on a one‑year deal, providing experience and leadership, and Macedonian striker Elmin Rastonder was secured from FC Thun on a four‑year contract worth €4 million. Negotiations for Kristiansen progressed from a loan‑only proposal to a season‑long loan with a €500,000 fee and a €4 million purchase option, after a medical cleared his knee injury.

In July, injuries struck again: central defender Ingólfur Ingason suffered an ACL rupture, ruling him out for the season, while right‑back Davide Calabri faced a six‑week LCL injury. The club’s U19 side began a preseason camp in Chania, and the senior side continued scouting for a central defender and additional midfield options as the August deadline for player departures approached.

Overall, Panathinaikos’ defensive line remains in flux, with the club balancing departures, new signings and injury setbacks while aiming to stabilise the back line ahead of its European qualifiers and domestic campaign.

Entities

Panathinaikos · TSKA 1948 · Ric Van Dongen · Lyon · Sofia

Timeline

  1. 10 days ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Panathinaikos looks for right‑back after Tsapras suspension for Sofia game

    Panathinaikos must replace suspended right‑back Tsapras and injured Kalambri for the Sofia replay, with young defender George Katris being the likely emergency solution.

  2. 14 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos targets Croatian centre‑back Tsaleta‑Char amid defender injuries

    Panathinaikos is in early talks to sign Croatian centre‑back Tsaleta‑Char, a regular for Croatia and Lyon, after a knee injury to Ingi Ingason leaves a defensive gap.

  3. 30 days ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Panathinaikos starts U19 preseason camp while scouting central defender

    Panathinaikos' U19 squad began a July training camp in Chania, Pelion under coach Angelos Zazopoulos, while the senior team hunts a new central defender following Sv­erriu Ingason's injury.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 5 sources
    Panathinaikos faces defensive crisis as Ingason out for season, Calabri sidelined six weeks

    Panathinaikos defender Ingason suffers a season‑ending ACL tear, while right‑back Calabri will miss about six weeks, leaving the club short on defensive options.

  5. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 13 sources
    Panathinaikos secures Victor Kristiansen on loan with purchase option

    Panathinaikos completed the loan signing of Danish left‑back Victor Kristiansen from Leicester City, with a €500 k loan fee and a €4 million purchase option after he passed medicals.

  6. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Nikos Nikolhetopoulos transfers from Panathinaikos to Marko

    Greek defender Nikos Nikolhetopoulos moves from Panathinaikos to Marko, with Panathinaikos retaining a 20% future resale right.

  7. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos targets left‑back Bilal Nendir while gearing up for Grasshoppers friendly

    Panathinaikos is pursuing free‑agent left‑back Bilal Nendir and will face Grasshoppers in a pre‑season friendly on July 11.

  8. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 8 sources
    Panathinaikos Nears Deal for Danish Defender Victor Kristiansen

    Panathinaikos is close to securing a loan‑with‑option deal for Danish defender Victor Kristiansen from Leicester City, pending medicals in Italy and a €500k loan fee plus a €4m purchase option.

  9. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Panathinaikos prepares left‑back signing before July 23 season opener

    Panathinaikos is pursuing a left‑back transfer before its July 23 opener, with talks involving Samsunspor and other targets amid a busy summer market.

  10. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos delays Victor Kristiansen move, awaits Leicester decision

    Panathinaikos postpones Victor Kristiansen transfer, waiting on Leicester talks until July 8 and will decide by week’s end, with a standby option in place.

  11. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos hires Dimitris Goumas as senior aide to technical director Stefanos Kotzolis

    Panathinaikos has appointed Dimitris Goumas as senior aide to technical director Stefanos Kotzolis, returning after ten years with experience from top clubs and national teams.

  12. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Stefan de Vrij joins Panathinaikos on one‑year contract

    Stefan de Vrij leaves Inter after eight years, signing a one‑year €3 million deal with Panathinaikos, with an option for a second year.

  13. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 13 sources
    Panathinaikos signs Dutch defender Stephan de Vrij

    Panathinaikos signs Dutch defender Stephan de Vrij on a 1+1‑year deal worth ~€2.2 m annually; former Inter star with 79 Dutch caps joins Greek club.

  14. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Panathinaikos signs Swiss striker Elmin Rastonder ahead of new season

    Panathinaikos signs Swiss striker Elmin Rastonder, a former Thun champion, on a four‑year contract; he aims to help end the club's 16‑year title drought.

  15. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 6 sources
    Panathinaikos signs Swiss striker Elmin Rastonder

    Panathinaikos paid €4 million for Swiss striker Elmin Rastonder, signing him to a four‑year deal up to 2030 with a €700k‑€1 million salary range, while still hunting a central‑midfielder after failed talks for

  16. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Panathinaikos suspends bid for Danish left‑back Victor Kristiansen

    Panathinaikos has halted its pursuit of Danish left‑back Victor Kristiansen after Leicester City rejected a loan deal and the player's injury history raised concerns.

  17. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Panathinaikos signs North Macedonian striker Elmin Rastonder for €4 million

    Panathinaikos signs North Macedonian striker Elmin Rastonder from FC Thun on a four‑year deal worth €4 million, with the player joining pre‑season in the Netherlands.

  18. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos signs Dutch defender Stefán de Vrij on one‑year deal

    Panathinaikos signs Dutch defender Stefán de Vrij to a 1+1 year contract, with the player joining the team’s pre‑season camp on 28 June.

  19. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 11 sources
    Panathinaikos completes signing of Elmin Rastonder on four‑year deal

    Panathinaikos signs forward Elmin Rastonder from Swiss club Thun on a four‑year contract worth €3.5‑4 million, bolstering its attack for the new season.

  20. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 8 sources
    Panathinaikos close to signing Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij

    Panathinaikos is set to sign Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij on a 1+1‑year, €3 million‑per‑year deal, with the contract expected Monday, while the club also eyes a left‑back before week‑end.

  21. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos Nears Deal for Dutch Defender De Vrij

    Panathinaikos is poised to sign Dutch defender De Vrij after an oral agreement; a €3 million‑per‑year contract is pending formal signature.

  22. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 8 sources
    Panathinaikos signs defender Triantafyllos Tsapras from Levadiakos

    Panathinaikos secured 24‑year‑old right‑back Triantafyllos Tsapras from Levadiakos on a four‑year deal worth about €2.8 million, pending medicals, to strengthen their defense.

  23. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Greek giants Panathinaikos and Olympiakos eye River Plate left‑back Matías Viña

    Panathinaikos and Olympiakos are reportedly interested in signing Uruguayan left‑back Matías Viña, currently on loan at River Plate, with negotiations expected soon.

  24. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos poised to sign Tsapras after Olympiacos exits race

    Olympiacos quit the race for Tsapras, making Panathinaikos the main contender; the player will decide by Monday whether to join them or stay abroad.

  25. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos appoints Stefanos Kotsolis as technical director

    Panathinaikos named ex‑goalkeeper Stefanos Kotsolis as its new technical director, with Miguel Ángel Korona staying as technical advisor.

  26. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos eyes loan of Danish defender Kristiansen amid roster overhaul

    Panathinaikos are negotiating a one‑year loan for Danish defender Victor Kristiansen with Liverpool, while revamping their squad by replacing departing captains and targeting multiple new signings under coach N

  27. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos' Transfer Deal for Elmin Rastonder Hits Snag

    Panathinaikos' planned €4 million transfer for Macedonian striker Elmin Rastonder stalls after the player withdraws, leaving negotiations with Swiss side FC Thun in limbo.

  28. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos targets Danish left‑back Victor Christensen

    Panathinaikos is eyeing Danish left‑back Victor Christensen, whose recent limited play at Leicester and loan to Bologna has sparked transfer interest, while Copenhagen also monitors his return.

  29. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Vasilis Zagharitis courted by German clubs Augsburg and Cologne as Panathinaikos watches

    Greek left‑back Vasilis Zagharitis, under contract with Heracles until 2028, is being pursued by German clubs Augsburg (€3 m) and Cologne (€5 m+), while Panathinaikos monitors a potential return.

  30. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos trims squad, five players exit as new season approaches

    Panathinaikos announced five departures as coach Giacob Nistrup trims the squad, while targeting new signings including a goalkeeper and midfield reinforcements.

  31. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos frees over €4.5 million and eyes Danish defender Victor Kristiansen

    Panathinaikos saves over €4.5 million by cutting contracts and considers signing Danish left‑back Victor Kristiansen.

  32. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Panathinaikos announces departure of five players amid squad rebuild

    Panathinaikos has ended contracts with five players—including Giannis Kotsiras, Filip Juricic and Alphon Laffon—while also seeing Renato Santos and Xabi Hernández leave, signaling a squad rebuild for the new s​

  33. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos weighs future of high‑earner Tasos Bakasetas

    Panathinaikos is reviewing Tasos Bakasetas' future; his €1.8 million annual contract runs to 2027 but he is not in coach Jakob Nistrep’s core plans, and the club may entertain offers this summer.

  34. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos to part ways with captain Tasos Bakasetas

    Panathinaikos plans to let captain Tasos Bakasetas leave this summer as coach Nistrup seeks a different midfield setup, citing his high salary and reduced role.

  35. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Panathinaikos eyes left‑back Vasilis Zagaris and other targets

    Panathinaikos is pursuing left‑back Vasilis Zagaris, with defender Triantafyllos Tsapra also on the shortlist, as it looks to replace departed midfielder Filip Mladenović.

  36. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Panathinaikos Plans Major Squad Overhaul and Targets Romanian Keeper Tarnovanu

    Panathinaikos, led by new coach Giakoump Nistrup, is planning major roster changes and targeting Romanian keeper Stefan Tarnovanu for a €3.8 M transfer.

Sources

athensmagazine.gr · athina984.gr · balla.com.cy · christianitytoday.com · dikaiologitika.gr · efsyn.gr · enikos.gr · ertnews.gr · filathlos.gr · flash.gr · gargalianoionline.gr · gazzetta.gr · gentikoule.gr · goal.philenews.com · haschcon.com · iefimerida.gr · iependitis.gr · in.gr · jaworznianin.pl · lykavitos.gr · madata.gr · maps.in.gr · megatv.com · metrosport.gr · neolaia.gr · newsbeast.gr · newsit.gr · newspao.gr · novasports.gr · pagenews.gr · paok24.com · paopantou.gr · parapolitika.gr · pelop.gr · politik.gr · protothema.gr · real.gr · regista.gr · scMP.com · shootandgoal.com · sofokleousin.gr · sport-fm.com.cy · sportal.gr · sportime.gr · sportime.sigmalive.com · sports.ert.gr · tanea.gr · thepressroom.gr

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history