Barbarouses joins Panathinaikos

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27 June 2012-SBS EXCLUSIVE

Athens bound ... Kosta Barbarouses (Getty)

Former Brisbane Roar striker Kosta Barbarouses has joined Greek giant Panathinaikos on a one-year loan from his Russian club Alania Vladikavkaz in what could become a permanent switch if the New Zealand international prospers.

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The 22-year-old, who is now in line to play for the Greek Super League club in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Champions League, is relishing the big opportunity, according to his Australian-based agent Ritchie Hinton of The Pitch Management.

“It’s a good opportunity for Kosta and great preparation for him as he looks forward to playing in New Zealand’s World Cup qualifying campaign and also at the Olympic Games for his country next month in England,” Hinton said.

“He is a Greek passport holder and that helped ease the move. The initial move to Russia was a step in the right direction, even though he didn’t get the game time and he learned a lot from the experience.

“He’s excited and looking forward to playing regularly in the top flight in Greece, which everybody knows is a strong competition.”

Panathinaikos, which finished runner-up behind long-time rival Olympiacos last season, has won 20 Greek championships and 17 Greek Cups. It also finished runner-up in the 1971 European Cup final.

Barbarouses won the A-League crown with Brisbane before he switched to Russia with the former Wellington Phoenix striker netting 12 goals in 33 appearances in 2010-2011.