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Friday, 26 June 2009 15:57

Vieirinha keen to impress PAOK fans ahead of permanent Greece move

Midfielder reveals Santos talks

vieirinhaPortuguese under-21 international Vieirinha says he hopes to show the PAOK fans what he can do next season, as he prepares to make his loan move from FC Porto permanent.

The 23-year-old spent last season at the Toumba Stadium on a one-year deal from the Portuguese champions and, although suffering with a serious injury, managed to do enough to impress PAOK manager Fernando Santos.

As a result, reports in Greece suggest that only fine details remain to be ironed out before Vieirinha is confirmed as a PAOK player on a full-time basis. For his part, the Guimaraes-born midfielder is happy to be staying in Thessaloniki.

“I’ve already said to (director) Mr Vryzas that I would like to stay with PAOK. I’ve seen from the newspapers that other teams are interested in me, but PAOK has the first say. I want to stay in PAOK , not only because of the great time I’ve had last year , but because I know that PAOK has a plan that I want to be a part of.

“I’ve spoken to Mr. Santos. He called me to see what my plans were. He told me that I am in his plans for the starting 11 (for next year) and I answered that I want to stay as well. Everything will be clear next week, but our intentions are quite clear: I want to stay and PAOK want me to stay.

“The fans can expect more from me from next year. I want to make them happy, something that I couldn’t do last year due to my injury. It’s more than obvious that I would have the last say, as to which team I want to continue my career with. I want to stay at PAOK and I don’t think that there will be any issues for me going elsewhere”.

Related article: Porto’s Vieirinha wants to stay at PAOK

Related article: Fernando Santos admits surprise at excellent season
Comments (5)
VIEIRNHA
5 Sunday, 28 June 2009 05:34
Georgio/Italy
not true... a few great portuguese players moved to Greece and found only that it helped their career. Dani Fernanded was #1 for Portugalm for a few games thanks to PAOK and there are a few more players like that. But if you want Vieirinha to go up in his career better off in a big team like PAOK rather than staying in Porto and being loaned to every small team in Portugal that isnt part of your top 4.

i.e Porto, Benfica, Sporting and Braga. PAOK is a top side and they continue to grow alot. They came 2nd in Greece last season and they will do some damage in europe this season. Vieirinha will be a star thanks to this club. mark my words
Portugal and Greece Soccer
4 Sunday, 28 June 2009 02:30
Tony Lima
A response to our two contributers.

The soccer fans in Greece are great and passionate from what I have seen. Greece and Portuguese league sare above the middle and below the top leagues in Europe. One can agrue who has a better league but to say there are no great teams is a bit unfair, there is one club that is above all teams from Portugal and Greece and that is FC Porto. FC Porto is a great club and competes well in Europe, look at the record over 25 years and 2 CL chamionships. That matches some of the other great clubs in Europe ManU, Barcelona, etc.

A young Portuguese player going to Greece is not always a bad sign. Bruno Alves got early training in Greece. I think the pace and intensity of the Greek game is good for some of the soft Portugeuse players. Also, this guy Vierinha has been a bust -- showed a lot of promise in U-17 but has gone down hill. Not sure if the will revive his career ... he seems to be overmatched from what I see but that doesn't mean in all cases a Portugese play going to Greece is a bad thing.
Forza PAOK
3 Sunday, 28 June 2009 02:10
Zoulou/Thessaloniki,Greece
Vieirinha is very good player just the 2008/09 season left off 5 months ... the player is very fast with very good triple .... Forza PAOK Forza PAOKARAAAAAAAA we are well on our minds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi6WxmO_4_o
Vieirinha
2 Saturday, 27 June 2009 20:04
Kris/Baltimore, United States
Portugal isn't ranked that much higher than Greece, and they weren't higher until a few months back. As far as each countries premier league goes...they are about even. Portugal doesn't have any great teams, which is why the majority of their players play outside of Portugal. Lets put it this way- in two leagues on about even level, you can have a possible post in the starting 11, or have a definite post in the starting 11 with the love and support of one of Europe's most involved fan bases. From the late 80's until the early 2000's PAOK's fanbase was considered the most hardcore of all of Europe, which is also a big plus.

If you ever have the chance to go to a PAOK game, even though they are no Barca or AC Milan, the games have an amazing atmosphere. I was treated to one when I went on a trip to Greece, and it was the most amazing football experience of my life.

These are the things that keep a lot of players at clubs when they should leave, plus all that extra money he'll be making can't hurt...
Vieirinha
1 Friday, 26 June 2009 19:04
Fresh/Hamilton, Canada
I remember when he was suppose to be a good prospect for Portugal, but I guess not anymore. When a Portuguese player moves to Greece to play their club football, something is wrong.

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