How a teenage defender rose to captain a European champion
In short: In 2017, an 18-year-old became the youngest captain in Olympiacos history. From his beginnings in South Africa to a high-profile move to the Bundesliga, the career of Panagiotis Retsos is a story of immense early promise, significant injury setbacks, and a triumphant return to leadership.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Hungarian-Greek parents, Panagiotis Retsos moved to Greece as an infant. His professional ascent began rapidly at Olympiacos, where manager Víctor Sánchez promoted him to the senior squad in the summer of 2016, noting his impressive stamina. By February 2017, during a scoreless draw against Atromitos, Rets לו was appointed club captain at just 18 years, five months, and 30 days old.
His talent soon commanded international attention. In August 2017, Bayer Leverkusen purchased the 19-year-old centre-back for £15.75 million on a five-year deal. Retsos made an immediate impact in the Bundesliga, earning Man of the Match honors in his debut against SC Freiburg and scoring his first German league goal against RB Leipzig in April 2018. However, his momentum was frequently interrupted by physical setbacks, including tendonitis in his right thigh in 2018 and subsequent injuries in both legs.
The following years saw a series of loans to Sheffield United, Saint-Étienne, and Hellas Verona. While his time in England was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, his career eventually came full circle. After returning to Olympiacos on loan in 2022, the club exercised a purchase option to secure him permanently. This period marked a professional renaissance; he helped the club win the Conference League in May 2024 and was later named co-captain alongside Giorgos Masouras, extending his contract through 2028.
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