Ninis extends Panathinaikos stay

One of Greece’s most talked about prospects secured an extension with Panathinaikos, as Sotiris Ninis signed a two-year extension to extend his contract through 2012. With two years still remaining on his contract, the Athenian club locked up the 18-year-old for a further two years.

Having made his breakthrough with Panathinaikos during the 2006-2007, an injury kept Ninis out of the starting eleven for the majority of last year. Looking for a fresh start this year, little changed this September as the twice capped Greece international has only made two appearances for Panathinaikos this year. The youngster will hope to return the squad as soon as possible but absences from the club’s Champions League lineup as well as the past weekend’s tilt with Aris have left many PAO supporters scratching their heads.

Ninis limited playing time with the “Tryfilli” will not benefit the youngster in his attempt to crack Greece’s starting eleven during the qualifiers. Having made his debut against Cyprus in a friendly before EURO 2008, Ninis was excluded from the continental championships. For a player tipped to be Greece’s next footballing icon, the opportunity to shine is surely eluding him in the early stages of his bright career.