© EuroFootball.com
Edinburgh is strengthening - the club is joined by a defender from Greece who has been defending the honor of Saloniki PAOK for the past few years.
The 23-year-old footballer, whose contract with the Saloniki team was supposed to be valid for another season, cost the Scottish vice-champions about 200,000 pounds. All remaining formalities should be agreed in the near future.
"I spoke with another Greek player, Taki Fyssas, who plays for 'Hearts' and he told me about the club, the country, the players, and even the weather," said H. Karipidis. "He also mentioned that the decision for a young player like me to go to Edinburgh would be really right."
Interestingly, in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, "Hearts" will face one of the strongest Greek teams, Athens AEK. H. Karipidis told journalists that he would like to play in at least one match and beat his compatriots.
"It would be great to have the opportunity to play against another Greek club," the footballer said. "I believe we can beat them."
Meanwhile, the coach of the Scottish team, Valdas Ivanauskas, stated that the most expensive purchase in the history of "Hearts," Mirsad Beslija, may leave the team if he receives a satisfying offer.
In January, the Bosnian playing in the position of a right-back moved to the British Isles from "Genk" for 850,000 pounds, but he failed to establish himself in the team and only played five matches.
"M. Beslija is a good player, but he wants to play regularly and has received good offers from clubs," said V. Ivanauskas. "The transfer would be the best decision for both sides."
It is said that the 27-year-old player is tempted by two Belgian teams - the future opponent of Marijampole's "Suduva" in the UEFA Europa League and "Lokeren."
