Matsoukas recruited by Bremen’s youth ranks

Lefteris Matsoukas was released by Olympiacos CFP late last week, but that didn’t stop the 18-year-old from finding a club, as the U-19 Greece international joined Werder Bremen on a free transfer earlier today.

No press release has been posted on Werder Bremen’s website as of yet, but the Greek press says the deal has already been signed.

According to Greek sports site SPORT24.GR, the former Olympiacos man has signed a 3.5 year contract with Werder Bremen’s youth outfit, Werder Bremen B.

Matsoukas worked his way up through the amateur ranks at Olympiacos, and signed a professional contract during July 2007. His time with the Greek Champions was limited, as six months after he signed on at ‘O Thrylos’, he was loaned out to now Beta Ethniki side Egaleo.

He returned to Piraeus six months later, but within thirty days he was loaned out again; this time to second-tier outfit Ethnikos Asteras.

His loan was terminated this earlier month; with many expecting Matsoukas to return to the club after Darko Kovacevic was forced into early retirement due to hear surgery.

To the surprise of many, Matsoukas was released by the club after manager Ernesto Valverde alerted management that the youthful Greek was not part of the Spaniard’s plans.

A fresh start in Germany could be the right tonic for Matsoukas to grow into a star striker; however, the Greek starlet will likely face great competition within the Bremen ranks.