The club recruit the Greek international striker

Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed Fotis Ioannidis from Panathinaikos FC. The 25-year-old Greek striker joins on a contract through to 2030, with a €100 million release clause.

Presented at the Estádio José Alvalade, Ioannidis expressed his satisfaction with the move.

"I want to thank everyone for welcoming me here so warmly. I really like what I’ve seen of the club and its ideas. I'm going to be playing at a very high level against very tough opponents, with very good teammates," he told Sporting CP media.

“Sporting CP are a great club with a massive culture, so the goals are always big here. We always have to be fighting for the top spot. I'm ready for it, and I know I can do it," he added.

When asked to discuss his characteristics, Ioannidis asserted that he is "a versatile striker.”

"I can do a lot of things on the pitch, as well as helping my teammates a lot and contributing to our strategy. Of course, I can score goals and provide assists."

"I love being in Lisbon. It’s a very good city, with very warm people who are very welcoming. I'm happy to challenge myself in this league and at this club. Playing in the UEFA Champions League wearing the Sporting CP shirt will be an honour," he stated, before talking about one of the main influences on his making the move.

"I spoke with Georgios Vagiannidis, with whom I exchange many messages because we're very close friends. He's an excellent person and a great player. He told me all the best things I could hear about Sporting CP, and I'm very happy. I'm going to speak more with the rest of the team now. I know they're very good and humble people, and we'll definitely have a good connection," he said.

Curiously, Ioannidis will represent the Greek national team alongside Vagiannidis in the coming days, and one of the matches they will play will be against Denmark -featuring Sporting CP skipper Morten Hjulmand.

"I’m looking forward to meeting him, especially because I've heard very good things about him. I'm very happy for him to be my captain from now on,” said the striker.

“I have the same goals as the rest of the team. I want to be a champion with Sporting CP and contribute to a great European campaign by helping with as many goals as possible."

He has already experienced the Estádio José Alvalade, having attended the game against FC Porto.

"I was amazed by the atmosphere, which was perfect. The result wasn't what we wanted, but I'm sure we'll respond and achieve what we want in the next games," he stated.

"I can't wait to play for the fans here, and score lots of goals so that we can celebrate together.”

Having begun his career at Levadiakos FC, Ioannidis moved to Panathinaikos FC in 2020 establishing himself as a key player for the team by scoring 51 goals in 190 matches. In 2025/26, he has already played five games, all in European competitions.