Hull City close to securing Olympiakos goalkeeper Tzolakis for Premier League return
With the Tigers preparing for top-flight football, the club is finalising a move for a goalkeeper with a strong record in European competition.
Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic has indicated that the club is close to finalising a transfer for Olympiakos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis. The potential acquisition comes as the club prepares for its return to the Premier League following its Championship title victory. Jakirovic’s comments suggest the administrative and sporting negotiations are nearing completion, though an official confirmation of the signed contract has not yet been released.
The interest in Tzolakis has drawn attention from Greek football journalist Konstantinos Lianos, who spoke to BBC Radio Humberside’s James Hoggarth regarding the player’s suitability for the upcoming season. Lianos described the goalkeeper as “very good with pressure,” a trait he deemed essential for a squad about to face the demands of the Premier League.
Contextualising the challenge ahead, Lianos noted the common media perception that Championship clubs returning to the top flight are automatically dubbed favourites for relegation. He suggested that Tzolakis’s experience in high-stakes environments could provide a stabilising factor for the defence.
The journalist pointed to a historical trend where defenders and goalkeepers from Greece have performed well in the Premier League, describing it as a “safe bet” when evaluating Greek players for English football. This observation adds a layer of strategic optimism to the proposed signing, framing it within a broader narrative of successful player migration.
Tzolakis’s credentials include experience in the Champions League and a notable record in the Europa League. During the 2024-25 season, he recorded six clean sheets in ten games, the highest number in the competition. Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the youngest ever Greek goalkeeper to compete in a Greek Cup final, achieving the feat at the age of 17 years, 10 months, and four days.
While the deal is described as close to finalising, the specific timing of the transfer remains undefined. The club’s focus now shifts to consolidating a squad capable of navigating the transition from the Championship to the Premier League, with Tzolakis potentially serving as a key component of that defensive structure.
