Recoba nearly done deal for panionios!!!!!!!!!

[olympiakos]

my word that would be a fantastic signing for a club like panionios, one of my all time favourite players!

[Piola]

man I always loved Recoba

one of the most brilliant ball players you'll ever see. If he was at a club, maybe smaller than Inter, he really could've hit the big time.

The boy was more than a bit special. We all saw that on his Inter debut in August 1997 on Ronaldo day. While the San Siro expected their summer signing from Barcelona to guide them past little Brescia, it was fellow new boy Alvaro Recoba who stole the show with two outstanding goals. A week later and the South American scored from the halfway line at Empoli. A star was truly born.

Recoba, though, never went on to become the greatest player in the world, he only developed into the most highly paid. Worshipped by owner Massimo Moratti, the Uruguayan more often than not wilted under the weight of expectation from the Nerazzurri chief and the success-starved Beneamata followers.

Numerous Coaches tried to successfully incorporate the talented left-footer into their plans – at the request of Moratti – but almost all failed. Asked to deliver immediate success under their axe-wielding employer, they needed consistency and El Chino was just unable to offer any. That not only frustrated Interisti, it annoyed football purists who acknowledged that Recoba was an artist of the game.

Former Inter boss Roberto Mancini summed it up best when asked to explain the enigma that is Alvaro. "He’s a genius,” admitted Mancio. “But like all geniuses, he has the ability to make you jump for joy or fill you with rage. We should just appreciate those moments in which his head and his feet are working in tandem."

Recoba sympathisers will argue that he was misunderstood, handicapped by the constant managerial changes at San Siro and hampered by various fitness issues. There’s an element of truth in those factors, but his biggest mistake was commandeering the heart of Moratti. He may have benefited financially because of that, but his career suffered as a result.

The 32-year-old simply remained at Inter for too long. The respect Moratti and himself shared for each other clouded the reality of his own needs. He required a fresh challenge, a club who could guarantee him first team football. Just like in 1998-99, when a six-month loan period at Venezia saw him score 10 goals and provide nine assists under the tutelage of Walter Novellino.

The two men teamed up again at Torino last season when the Montevideo native finally got fed up of the view from the Inter bench, but it was another campaign to forget after one goal in 22 games. That wasn’t enough for Toro to make his move permanent or enough for Moratti. After 53 goals in 175 League appearances for Inter, even he knew that it was time to let go of Alvaro Recoba – the player that never was.

[olympiakos]

yeh just reading it on greek site, might be a lie, but from the sounds of it its in the final stages, what a great signing that would be

[Piola]

yeh just reading it on greek site, might be a lie, but from the sounds of it its in the final stages, what a great signing that would be

I've read it as well on italian news sites, def some truth to the rumour.

How good are Panionios??

[olympiakos]

yeh just reading it on greek site, might be a lie, but from the sounds of it its in the final stages, what a great signing that would be

I've read it as well on italian news sites, def some truth to the rumour.

How good are Panionios??

prob like a portsmouth of greece id say

[bradley]

I always loved Recoba.

I remember a freekick he hit for Inter from a mile away top right corner and it seemed like it was off a step or two.

So talented, why didnt he leave Inter sooner though. I guess money talks though..

[Blue Mastiff]

Former Inter forward Alvaro Recoba has agreed a contract with Greek side Panionios.

Recoba spent just over a decade at Inter, during which time he also represented Venezia and Torino on loan.

Despite his initial promise, El Chino failed to live up to expectations with the Nerazzurri and no attempt was made to offer him a new deal when his contract expired this summer.

The 32-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with Panionios - the side Napoli beat in the Intertoto Cup last month.

Having been one of Italy's most richly rewarded players, Recoba has taken a significant pay cut and will receive a modest £800,000 per year.

A significant factor in Recoba's decision was the chance to play alongside former Inter flop and close friend Lampros Choutos in Athens.

[barbarez01]

Former Inter forward Alvaro Recoba has agreed a contract with Greek side Panionios.

Recoba spent just over a decade at Inter, during which time he also represented Venezia and Torino on loan.

Despite his initial promise, El Chino failed to live up to expectations with the Nerazzurri and no attempt was made to offer him a new deal when his contract expired this summer.

The 32-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with Panionios - the side Napoli beat in the Intertoto Cup last month.

Having been one of Italy's most richly rewarded players, Recoba has taken a significant pay cut and will receive a modest £800,000 per year.

A significant factor in Recoba's decision was the chance to play alongside former Inter flop and close friend Lampros Choutos in Athens.

modest

football players these days... if thats modest faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak me...

[The Kop]

2nd highest paid player in greece after Gilberto Silva......pretty good for the Genoa/Blackburn/Espanyol of Greece.

Very close to signing Estoyanoff too.......good on em.

Should have held on to Doddsy though!!.....

[Fenerbahçe]

How many games has he played in the last few years? Never seen that guy play recently, but a great name transfer for Panionios.

[bradley]

Estoyanoff was linked to PAOK, but I doubted it from the start because of $$$.

[Pao Thyra 13]

He was also linked to AEK

[Panathinaikos]

2nd highest paid player in greece after Gilberto Silva......pretty good for the Genoa/Blackburn/Espanyol of Greece.

Very close to signing Estoyanoff too.......good on em.

Should have held on to Doddsy though!!.....

greatest kreas to play in the super league.....

[olympiakos]

i agree, recoba is a brilliant signing for panionios, they have done very well to bring him to greece

[olympiakos]

2nd highest paid player in greece after Gilberto Silva......pretty good for the Genoa/Blackburn/Espanyol of Greece.

Very close to signing Estoyanoff too.......good on em.

Should have held on to Doddsy though!!.....

done

[GATE13]

great signings for Panonios

[pablo_g4rcia]

he signed and so did Estoyanoff