Panathinaikos sign Fernandes and Ioannidis

Panathinaikos FC have added to their squad ahead of a return to the UEFA Champions League group stage with the signings of goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes from VfL Bochum 1848 and left-back Giorgos Ioannidis after his release by Iraklis FC.

Fernandes joins on a one-year loan having previously spent four seasons in Greece at PAOK FC prior to joining Bochum at the beginning of the 2008/09 campaign. "I am very happy to be here," said the Canadian-born 26-year-old, who was part of the Portugal squad at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. "Panathinaikos are a great club and their fans are used to winning titles." Fernandes spent the second half of last term on loan with Iraklis, making ten league appearances.

Ioannidis, meanwhile, has penned a three-year contract having caught the eye of Nikos Nioplias when the Panathinaikos coach led Greece to the final of the 2007 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, which they lost 1-0 to Spain. "It's very important for me to sign for Panathinaikos and that the coach believes in me so much," said the 22-year-old, who, along with Fernandes, has joined his new team-mates at a training camp in Austria.