Thanos Petsos returns to Rapid on loan
From 2013 to 2016, the today 26-year old Thanos Petsos played in the defensive midfield position - and was a key figure - in a side that were Bundesliga runners-up three times on the trot, and who qualified for the Europa League group stage for three consecutive years (the highlight coming in the shape of a group win in 2015). Following an extremely successful three-year stint with Rapid, which also lead to three caps for the Greek national side, Thanos left Vienna with the club's best wishes to join SV Werder Bremen. However, Petsos found his time on the pitch limited, as he did with London side Fulham, with whom he spent the early part of the year on loan. Petsos remains under contract with Werder Bremen until 2019.
But in the coming season Thanos Petsos will again be pulling on the Green & White of Rapid. The club has reached an agreement with SV Werder Bremen for a loan deal until summer 2018 that includes an option to buy.
Sporting Director Fredy Bickel explained the reasons for the transfer: "Thanos Petsos had, over years, proved himself and displayed his abilities at the heart of the SK Rapid midfield. WithPhilipp Malicsek’s injury, and with the ongoing uncertainty about a return date for Ivan Mocinic, we needed to be active with regards this position. Petsos fulfils all criteria required to perform this role, and, additionally, we were able to agree very reasonable terms with both Thanos and Werder Bremen. Should he deliver outstanding performances between now and the end of the season, there is an option to make the transfer permanent.
Broadly speaking, we are looking at Dejan Ljubcic, who gave a superb account of himself against LASK, as the long-term option in defensive midfield, but he is due to return to Wiener Neustadt in the middle of next week. However, due to the agreements we have in place with Lower Austrian side, we can recall Ljubicic as and when we need to."
Thanos Petsos, who has already made 101 competitive appearances for the club (7 goals), passed the medical examination; will wear the number 55 on the back of his shirt, and is available for selection for the next round of Bundesliga fixtures. On his return to Hütteldorf he said: "It's great to be back with Rapid. I still know lots of people here; I have so many fond memories, and want to start adding to them immediately. I'll give everything on the pitch and prove that the club were right to put their faith in me again!"
(gw)