Giorgos Giakoumakis set to be the third former Celt to join PAOK this summer

The deal would reunite the forward with his ex-Hoops teammate Greg Taylor, currently playing for the Thessaloniki club.

Having signed with Liga MX’s Cruz Azul in January 2024, Giakoumakis’s stint in Mexico seems likely to be cut short, according to a report from Greek journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos.

PAOK, keen to strengthen their forward areas in pursuit of winning the Greek title and qualify for the Europa League, have been drawn to his Giakoumakis’ qualities for spearheading the attack and scoring goals everywhere he has been in his career.

With Taylor joining PAOK this summer, Giakoumakis would benefit from a familiar face, as both players were instrumental under Ange Postecoglou in Celtic’s memorable 2021/22 double-winning season.

Before transferring to Atlanta United in 2023, Giakoumakis impressed at Celtic, netting 26 goals in 57 matches despite being no.2 for Postecoglou due to Kyogo Furuhashi’s scoring exploits.

After a brief period in Mexico following his MLS transfer, joining PAOK represents a return to familiar territory and an opportunity for him to revive his career in his native country.

With former Hoops loanee Jonjoe Kenny also signing for the Greek side this summer, Celtic will now have three former players playing in Thessaloniki this season.

PAOK drew 0-0 on Thursday evening in the Europa League Third Qualifying Round against Austrian opposition Wolfsberger AC.

Surprisingly, Taylor spent the game on the bench whilst Kenny played the entire 90 minutes. A huge return leg awaits the former Celts next Thursday with a tie against either Rijeka or Shelbourne in the playoff round awaiting the winners.

Good luck to Giorgos, Jonjoe and Greg ahead of their upcoming season. The Greek Super League does not kick off for another two weeks as they aim to reclaim the title from Olympiakos.

Conor Spence

Conor Spence attended the Celtic fan media conference at Celtic Park on Thursday to represent The Celtic Star and to speak to Celtic legend James Forrest. Here’s the video…