Cyprus-Forum.com

[Main_Source]

Arsenal Sign Promising Greek Striker

6/8/2005 4:09:00 PM

The promising Greek U-23 international striker of Heerenveen, Giannis Samaras, has signed a contract with Arsenal, but he will not play for the Gunners until the end of the season as he will stay for another year with the Dutch club.
The young player is one of the biggest hopes of Greek football. Until 2002 was in OFI Crete’s second team, but the following season he was transferred to Heerenveen and netted four times in fifteen games for them.

This season he scored 11 goals.

Samaras has been targeted by many Greek teams, such as Olympiacos, but only Arsenal’s name and bid could satisfy the ambitions of the young striker, who will be the second Greek player in the Gunners’ history, after defender Stathis Tavlaridis, who moved to France last summer.

The overall cost of the Samaras deal is estimated to be some 4.5 million Euros.

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Lets hope he is given more a chance than Tavlarides.

[cannedmoose]

Do you reckon he'll get to play much Source?

[Saint Jimmy]

Not likely, I think. He's probably just intended to be a sub, unless something really shocking happens - like Henry getting run over by a truck or something like that. At least for the next five years, the center forward position is not up for grabs.

[Main_Source]

ok - i heard he hasn't signed for Arsenal..but the excuse given didnt say the Arsenal rumours were false. Just said he would stay at Herenveen for another year, which is what the articles i read about his so-called signing said.

Anyway, if he did sign, he would stay at Herenveen for another year....besides, just because of Thierry Henry, it doesnt mean he wouldnt get any games. Look how Robin van Perise has come through...and he started off as our 3rd / 4th choice striker this season. Players get injured and things change in football...it would be silly of Wenger not to have any back up in mind.

[Saint Jimmy]

back up

OK, I just put it wrong. This is all I meant to say: back-up. He is good for a Greek striker, but not 'Van-Persie' good; certainly not 'Henry' good. On the other hand, he's still young and no one knows, maybe he's The One!

[Main_Source]

Well, he's 20 and scored 11 goals in the dutch league this season, which isnt bad considering he isnt there first choice and has put in some good displays too. He has had a lot of scouts watching him...and im not gonna say he's the next Ronaldo or Henry but on paper, he seems very promising.