Michael aiming high with APOEL

Cup finalist
The 26-year-old Michael will join fellow new signing Christos Germanos at the Nicosia club who have yet to find a replacement for coach Panagiotis Lemonis, who parted company with the former champions on 12 May. Michael played an essential role with AEL last season helping his side finish fifth in the league standings as well as reach the Cypriot Cup final, where they lost 5-3 on penalties to Anorthosis Famagusta FC.

Chairman delighted
APOEL chairman Prodromos Petrides was very pleased with the signings of Germanos and Michael, who have agreed financial and personal terms but are waiting for their previous contracts to expire. He said: "I believe that they will both secure first-team places in the squad and help us achieve our targets for next season. I would like to further add my thanks to both players for joining APOEL."

Malekkos to stay
There was more good news for APOEL as influential captain Kostakis Malekkos agreed to stay with the club for another four years. The 32-year-old Malekkos has been one of the most popular players in Cyprus in the last decade and has also had spells with AEL and Omonia Nicosia FC. He also had a short spell with Panathinaikos FC during the 1997/98 season.