A successful season with Asteras Tripolis appeared to be a decisive factor for the Greek Champions to sign Zairi, but the immense depth already instilled in the ‘Erythrolefki’ squad makes for great competition for the Moroccan ahead of next season.

Nonetheless, Zairi remains excited about the move to Piraeus, revealing he was ‘living a dream’. “Olympiacos is my biggest club since the beginning of my career,” said Zairi.

Before arriving at Asteras Tripolis during the 2008 winter transfer window, Zairi had spent most of his career in France; first with youth outfit – and eventually the professional side – at FC Gueugnon, FC Sochaux, before leaving France for Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad.

Zairi secured a move back to Europe after just one year in Saudia Arabia as Portuguese side Boavista gave Zairi a passage back to the European scene. One year later, Zairi found himself back in France, this time with Sochaux.

Now, after a brief stint in Arcadia, the hot lights of the Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium are a new challenge for one of Morocco’s best kept secrets.

“I’m living a dream I’ve been waiting for a long time. The ambition of every footballer is to one day play in a big team. Olympiacos gives me this opportunity,” concluded Zairi.

Champions League exposure, and a successful season in Greece, could give Zairi another shot with the Moroccan National Team.

Surprisingly, Nikopolidis performed magnificently for Olympiacos this season, and with the confidence acquired through his strong play, Nikopolidis has signed a one-year extension with the Greek Champions.

While the club added Urko Pardo on a loan deal from Rapid Bucharest earlier this week, Nikopolidis’ one-year extension was made official by the club with an announcement on the club’s official website.

“Olympiacos CFP announces the contract renewal for one more year with goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis.”

The former Greece international will likely resume his service as the club’s number on goalkeeper next season, unless of course club president Sokratis Kokkalis adds a further piece to Piraeus’ goalkeeping puzzle.

An announcement on the club’s official website made the move official, as Pardo was made the second signing made by the club this season – only after a mutual agreement between the club and Asteras Tripolis’ Jaoud Zairi had been reported.

“Olympiacos CFP announces the completion of an agreement with Rapid Bucharest over the transfer of player Urko Rafael Pardo in the form of a loan, with the option to buy,” read the announcement.

Rumors regarding Pardo originated last summer, as the future of Antonis Nikopolidis and the release of Michalis Sifakis occupied the club. Nonetheless, the problem in goal was solved when Nikopolidis penned an extension ahead of last season, and Pavel Kovac was signed by the Greek Champions.

The reports indicate Olympiacos are interested in another central defender as Paraskevas Antzas is expected to retire at season’s end. Materazzi appears to be the number-one choice for the Greek Champions, while supporters salivate over the possibility of the controversial World Cup Winner arriving in Piraeus in the summer.

While his legacy holds more controversy due to his involvement in the “head butt heard ‘round the world”, Materazzi would form a solid partnership with Avraam Papadopulos.

The Argentine had featured in Olympiacos 2-1 defeat to Saint-Etienne after overcoming an injury that kept him out of the original meeting with the French outfit and Super League visit to Ergotelis ahead of the second leg.

No Indication
There was no indication that the on-loan Liverpool midfielder was injured after Olympiacos’ trip to Saint-Etienne, allowing many to speculate a training ground incident had decided the Argentine’s fate.

Initial speculation returned to the pitch as many believed Leto was being punished after kicking two water bottles after being subbed off during a domestic encounter. That hypothesis, however, was quickly ruled out as it was realized Leto had made appearances for the club after that touchline incident – indicating he had since been forgiven.

Secret Meeting
It became more evident that something was wrong when rumors began to swirl about a private meeting between Valverde and club president Sokratis Kokkalis. The speculation suggested the pair met to discuss Sebastian Leto immediate future with the club, while reports also indicated the club had abruptly lost interest in approaching Liverpool to extend Leto’s stay in Piraeus.

The Truth Surfaces
Now, after the derby, more has been revealed about the incident that kept Leto from the weekend clash with Panathinaikos. According to various publications in the Greek press, a training ground incident and argument between Leto and Valverde was in fact the reason for the Argentine’s exclusion.

In what was a very unprofessional move by Leto, reports suggest the left winger rudely kicked two footballs that were in front of him. One ball hit backup ‘keeper Pavel Kovac in the face, while the other hit Valverde in the back.

For his misbehaviour on the training ground, Leto was suspended for the weekend fixture with Panathinaikos, and could remain out of the line-up for the rest of the season.

Soleidis Call
In the wake of this event, Valverde has also taken the initiative of calling up prospect Aristides Soiledis after being told to look at the reserves team for Leto’s replacement.

The 18-year-old has made a handful of appearances for the ‘Erythrolefki’ including the club’s Greek Super Cup win over Larissa two seasons ago.

Arriving in the port city of Piraeus this past summer, Valverde started his career in Greece with a horrific loss and early elimination from the UEFA Champions League, as Anorthosis Famagusta slipped past Olympiacos in the third qualifying round.

Things quickly turned around, however, as the Greek Champions continued to improve to reach top form ahead of the Christmas break.

With Olympiacos performing and playing its best football in Greece and in Europe, Olympiacos president Sokratis Kokkalis has reacted quickly to open negotiations over a contract extension for Valverde. While the Spaniard has enjoyed his time in Greece, there are rumors his family has not settled in the Eastern Meditteranean, and discomfort for his loved ones could limit Valverde’s time in Piraeus.

In Spain, Marca suggests ‘Los Colchoneros’ will be part of a managerial swap in the summer, and Valverde is favourite to be Aguirre’s predecessor.

Understandably, Valverde is a reputable figure on the sidelines; notably for his run to the finals of the UEFA Cup in 2007 while coaching RCD Espanyol. In addition, Atletico has not yet lived up to expectations, despite progressing to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, and contending for yet another top-four finish in Spain.

So, while the speculation continues to grow, it appears the likelihood of Valverde penning a new deal with the Greek giants ahead of the offseason is very unlikely; especially with a possible move to Madrid in the cards.

First he was asked about the move from the Premier League to the Greek Super League:

“I knew that coming here to join Olympiacos was a big step for me in my career, because it is a very big club. I join the club on a loan deal, but there is a great likelihood that I would want to stay for much longer.”

He was then asked about the manner and rapidity of the transfer:
“When I heard about there being interest from Olympiacos, I decided very quickly. I had my own opinions about the move, but I talked to some players from [Blackburn], and they said if they were in my position they would make the move.”

He talked about the possibility of an extended stay in Greece:
“I know there is the possibility of an extension, and this something that will be dealt with at the appropriate time.”

He was asked if there was an increase in stress considering Blackburn’s usual placing in the Premier League, compared to Olympiacos’ dominance in the Super League:
“Not at all! As a footballer my aim is to build equity and be successful. I believe I will be able to do that alongside my coach and fellow teammates.”

He was made aware that he was set to be the first Englishman to play for Olympiacos, and then was asked how it made him feel:
“It is a great honor for me that I am the first player from my country to wear an Olympiacos jersey.”

His much anticipated debut was the next topic, and Derbyshire was asked if he would be ready for the derby against AEK:
“It will be up to the manager to decide, but if I am called upon I will be ready.”

Reporters then took the time to confirm the pronunciation of his surname, before it was confirmed that Derbyshire will wear the number twenty-seven jersey for Olympiacos.

Joining the Greek Champions on a six-month loan, Derbyshire explained his move to join Olympiacos was part of a big step in his career.

“My signing with Olympiacos is a big step for me in my career, and for what I want to do in my career.”

While his Greece stay has been set to just six months at the moment, there is the likelihood that Derbyshire could stay even longer within the Greek Super League – as long as he is able to set the bar high with his new club.

“I don’t know if I will be staying here for more than six months, but I do know Olympiacos is a very good team.”

The 22-year-old is expected to sign a contract with the Piraeus club on Thursday, but it is not yet known when the Englishman will make his ‘Eryhtrolefki’ debut.

The carousel of possible transfers continued to spin up to and including yesterday, as the Greek press reported Olympiacos had an interest in Asteras Tripolis’ Lucio Filomeno, and Mehmet Yildiz from Turkish side Sivasspor.

On Wednesday, however, the Piraeus giants were involved in a Premier League swoop for a promising U-21 England international.

A spokesman for the club confirmed the move, as he spoke to reporters on Wednesday evening. “Matt is expected in Athens tomorrow for his medical and to sign the contract but the deal has been agreed, he will be joining us for six months,” said the spokesman.

After Serbian striker Darko Kovacevic was forced to call an end to his career earlier this month after heart surgery in Spain, the need for another forward began to heat up for the Piraeus club. Now, it appears Olympiacos have their man in Derbyshire, who is expected in Greece on Thursday, before signing a deal to keep him at the port city until the end of the season.