Giannis Bouzoukis

Giannis Bouzoukis
	Bouzoukis with Greece U21 in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Ioannis Bouzoukis
Date of birth	27 March 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth	Preveza, Greece
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team	Panetolikos
Number	18
Youth career
2012–2017	Panathinaikos
Senior career*
Years	Team
2017–2022	Panathinaikos
2022–2023	OFI
2023–	Panetolikos
International career‡
2015	Greece U17
2017	Greece U19
2018	Greece U20
2018–2019	Greece U21
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 October 2024; ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 November 2019

Giannis Bouzoukis (Greek: Γιάννης Μπουζούκης; born 27 March 1998) is a Greek professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Super League club Panetolikos.

Career

Panathinaikos

Bouzoukis plays mainly as a midfielder and joined Panathinaikos from Preveza.^[1] On 26 August 2018, thanks to an astonishing long-range effort by the talented winger, Panathinaikos achieved a vital 1–0 away win against rivals Xanthi, in the first matchday of the 2018–19 season. It was his first goal as a professional player. On 1 September 2018, Bouzoukis scored his second consecutive goal against Lamia.^[2] On 13 January 2019, Bouzoukis helped Panathinaikos to recover well though after half-time when he fired home a precise low shot after picking up possession at the back post following a deep left-wing cross, equalizing for his club in a final 2–2 home draw against Xanthi.^[3] On 30 January 2019, the 20-year-old forward slid the ball home from close range to round off a superb fast-flowing move down the left flank with Tasos Chatzigiovanis feeding Federico Macheda, whose cross was perfect for the young international who scored the only goal in an away win against Panetolikos.^[4]

During this season, Bouzoukis has attracted several rival clubs such as champions-elect PAOK from expressing an interest in the talented young midfielder. Key Panathinaikos players would only be sold should the financial situation at the club become even more dire, but the preference of technical director Nikos Dabizas in such a scenario, would be to sell to overseas clubs, such as Portuguese giants Benfica that have reportedly expressed an interest and look set to make a €2 million bid for Bouzoukis, who is one of the most sought after young Greek footballers. However, Panathinaikos would be demanding at least double, with reports suggesting the Greens would not consider anything below €5 million.^[5]

On 7 July 2019, Bouzoukis has agreed to terms on a new and improved contract which runs until the summer of 2022. Bouzoukis now has the opportunity to develop his game at his boyhood club and become a vital player the team can be built around. His resale value should peak over the next few seasons as he continues to flourish and attract serious attention from abroad, which will assist the club’s finances in the long-term.^[6]

On 25 January 2020, Bouzoukis scored his first goal for the season with a penalty kick in a 2–0 away win against AEL.^[7]

OFI

On 31 January 2022, OFI announced an agreement with Panathinaikos for the transfer of Giannis Bouzoukis for the next 2,5 years, until the summer of 2024.^[8]

Career statistics

Club

As of 6 January 2023^[9]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club	Season	League			Cup		Europe		Total
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Panathinaikos	2017–18	Super League Greece	4	0	1	0	–		5	0
	2018–19		24	4	3	0	–		27	4
	2019–20		33	1	5	1	–		38	2
	2020–21		13	0	0	0	—		13	0
	2021–22		4	0	1	0	—		5	0
	Total		78	5	10	1	0	0	88	6
OFI	2021–22	Super League Greece	11	0	0	0	–		11	0
	2022–23	Super League Greece	7	0	0	0	–		7	0
	Total		18	0	0	0	0	0	18	0
Panetolikos	2022–23	Super League Greece	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
Total			98	5	10	1	0	0	108	6