Pantelis Hatzidiakos is now officially a PAOK player, with the “Double-Headed Eagle of the North” announcing the signing of the 28-year-old international center back, who has signed a contract through the summer of 2029.

The “Black-and-Whites” accompanied the announcement with a creative video, in which Hatzidiakos sends his first message to the team’s fans.

“Some decisions change the story you want to write. Here, soccer isn’t just a game—it’s a part of the city. Every street, every spot has a story. And every story calls for the next chapter. Here, it’s not enough to just wear the jersey—you have to honor it. I know what pressure means, and I’m ready. Starting today, my story is being written here, in Thessaloniki, at PAOK. “I’m Pantelis Hatzidiakos, and I’m here,” he says emphatically.

With the White Tower and Toumba Stadium in the background, the international center back is introduced for the first time as a PAOK player, marking the team’s fourth signing this summer, following Taha Ali, Arij Elustondo, and Baptiste Santamaria.

PAOK’s announcement:

“PAOK FC announces the signing of Pantelis Hatzidiakos. The Greek international defender has signed a contract with PAOK through June 30, 2029.

Pantelis Hatzidiakos was born on January 18, 1997, in Rhodes and moved with his family to the Netherlands at a young age, where he joined the Alkmaar youth academy in 2011, having begun his soccer career at the Panathinaikos youth academy.

He developed through the Alkmaar youth system and in January 2015 signed his first professional contract with the Dutch club. He made his debut with Alkmaar’s first team in the Eredivisie, where he gradually established himself as a key member of the defensive line.

In December 2017, he scored his first goal in the Dutch league during a 2-0 victory over Venlo, and from the 2018–19 season onward, he became one of the team’s leaders. At the same time, he gained significant European experience, competing in both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.In 2023, he took the next major step in his career by transferring to Cagliari in Italy, and the following year he continued his career in Copenhagen, playing for the Danish club.

At the international level, he played for the youth teams of both the Greek and Dutch national teams, wore the jersey of the Greek U-21 national team, and on October 12, 2019, he made his debut with the senior national team, playing the entire match against Italy in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers.”

*photo source: PAOK FC