Atmatsidis and AEK to part
Friday, January 10, 2003
Article summary
Former Greece goalkeeper Elias Atmatsidis is to leave AEK Athens FC after serving the club for over a decade.
Article body
The former Greece goalkeeper Elias Atmatsidis is leaving AEK Athens FC after more than a decade at the Nikos Goumas stadium.
Second choice
The contract of the 34-year-old, who is now the club's second choice behind Dionyssis Hiotis, was terminated following a meeting of Atmatsidis and AEK's majority shareholder, Makis Psomiadis.
European experience
Atmatsidis joined AEK in July 1992 from AEP Verias, having begun his career with AEP Kozanis. After helping AEK win the championship in his first two seasons in the capital, the custodian went on to play more than 300 matches for the club, including 51 in European competition, scoring twice from the penalty spot.
World Cup
Despite signing a new one-year contract last summer, Atmatsidis has not played since, leading to his request to move. Atmatsidis, who was capped 44 times and formed part of the Greek team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals, is reported to be considering offers from clubs in England and Cyprus.
