Ninis leaves Panathinaikos for Parma

Greece attacking midfielder Sotiris Ninis has left last season's domestic runners-up Panathinaikos FC to sign a four-year contract with Italian side Parma FC.

The 22-year-old has been linked with the club since March, with his transfer finally confirmed on Monday. "I am happy and proud to be here," said Ninis. "Parma believed in me and looked beyond the knee ligament injury I suffered last season. It's important for a player to feel this support, especially from such an important club. I want to repay their trust and I promise Parma fans that I will be giving my best on the pitch."

Promoted to the Panathinaikos first team in January 2007, when he was still just 16, Ninis scored ten goals in 88 Greek league matches for the club, and registered once in 25 UEFA club competition games. He was part of the Greece team that reached the final of the 2007 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and became the senior side's youngest scorer when he registered on his debut against Cyprus in May 2008, aged 18.

He has now scored twice in 22 international appearances, and has been brought to Parma to replace Juventus-bound forward Sebastian Giovinco, though Ninis said: "He is a top player and I cannot compare myself with him." Panathinaikos start their UEFA Champions League campaign in the third qualifying round.