La Liga side, Real Betis, have announced the signing of former Greece international defender, Sokratis Papastathopoulos on a short-term deal.
The 35-year-old Kalamata-born centre-back has signed a contract with the Andalusian club until the summer of 2024, keeping him contracted with Los Verdiblancos until the end of this season.
Sokratis had reportedly been of interest Bavarian giants, German champions Bayern Munich with the club seeking to avoid a defensive injury crisis; Jerome Boateng had also been on trial with Thomas Tuchel’s side.
He began his youth career with Aiantas Kalamatas before moving to Apollon Petalidiou and then AEK Athens before beginning his professional career with the Greek capital city club in 2005.
He has since played for Niki Volos, on a loan deal in 2006, as well as Serie A sides Genoa and AC Milan before moving to the Bundesliga in 2011, on loan to Werder Bremen.
That deal eventually became permanent a year later and he moved on to spend five seasons with German giants, Borussia Dortmund. After that, he signed for Premier League side, Arsenal.
After two and a half seasons back in the Greek Super League with Olympiacos, where he made 94 appearances across all competitions. He has been without a club since he left the Piraeus club on a free transfer over the summer.
Betis have been focused on free transfers over the summer with financial issues that have struck the club and the Spanish league. The likes of Hector Bellerin and Isco signed for Manuel Pellegrini’s side on free transfers.
Despite their restrictions and limitations, Pellegrini has managed to keep Real Betis afloat as a top six side in La Liga, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League last season. They currently sit in mid-table in the 2023/24 campaign with three victories, five draws and two defeats in their opening ten matches.
