Leto's gone

[dee]

Sorry if already posted ..

Liverpool winger Sebastian Leto has left Anfield to join Greek outfit Panathinaikos.

Leto spent last season on loan at Panathinaikos' great rivals Olympiakos and the Argentine ace impressed during his spell in Greece.

Olympiakos were thought to be interested in making Leto's move permanent, but they could not agree a deal - allowing Panathinaikos to steal in to secure his signature.

Leto struggled to make an impact at Liverpool following his arrival in the summer of 2007.

The 22-year-old made just four first-team appearances for Rafa Benitez's men and the Spaniard has decided to cash-in on the player as he looks to trim his squad and raise funds for his own transfer plans.

 

[thelurker]

Any ideas of fee............did we get our money back?

 

[SummerOnions]

three million great british pounds sterling.

 

[dee]

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool has sold Argentine winger Sebastian Leto to Greek club Panathinaikos for an undisclosed fee, the two clubs said on Wednesday.Leto had to spend last season on loan at Greek champion Olympiakos, making 24 appearances and scoring one goal, after failing to obtain a work permit from the British authorities last year.

The 22-year-old midfielder has now signed a five-year contract with Panathinaikos after the two clubs agreed a fee which Greek media put at €4 million ($5.6 million). Leto's annual salary will be €1.2 million ($1.6 million), according to the media reports.

Leto was signed by Liverpool in August 2007 but was only able to play four games for the Premier League club, having initially had an Italian passport which was later revoked. For Panathinaikos, the left winger will play alongside French striker Djibril Cisse, signed from Marseille last week for a reported fee of euro8 million ($11.2 million), Panathinaikos' most expensive transfer.

€4m = £3.45M

 

[Atlas]

3 million is brilliant

 

[rage]

3.45 million is even better.

 

[The Slugmonster]

[quote author=rage link=topic=34481.msg898434#msg898434 date=1246488288]
3.45 million is even better.
[/quote]

Sure is...now put it towards someone who can get a work permit 😱

 

[Niall K]

[quote author=The Slugmonster link=topic=34481.msg898458#msg898458 date=1246490969]
[quote author=rage link=topic=34481.msg898434#msg898434 date=1246488288]
3.45 million is even better.
[/quote]

Sure is...now put it towards someone who can get a work permit 😱
[/quote]

Or even someone who can play a bit.

 

[Whitey85]

Yay hes finally gone. Great news ;D

 

[gkmacca]

Do you remember his tackling technique? He would have been sent off about five times a season anyway. Good price for him though.

 

[Whitey85]

I remember the confused expression on his face and his general get head down and run down blind alley playing style. Rubbish signing but we have somehow made a profit.

 

[Hooz]

Jokes on you, Panathinaikos.

 

[King Binny]

Guess what? There's a [size=12pt]45% sell on clause[/size]! Not sure if its for any transfer fee or only for the profit made by Olympiakos though.


Interview of Rafa Benitez by Exedrasports in which he talks about a Liverpool player and the Greek Championship

http://www.rafabenitez.com/web/datos_web/EXE_24.pdf
http://www.rafabenitez.com/web/datos_web/EXE_25.pdf

1. What is your opinión of Sebastian Leto as a player? What are his qualities?

When he was with us, and this is what we noticed most of all, he was a player with enormous potential, quite quick, with ability in attacking 1v1 situations,good technique and a good shot. Above all, what stood out was that he was a player who could unbalance a defence and also with good vision.

2. Why did you choose him for Liverpool?

I think the answer to the previous question also answers this one. We thought that he had the necessary potential to mature a lot in a competition like the Premier League which requires special qualities. Mostly due to the physical qualities that he had. He was a player who was really interesting with regard to the future.

3. Why do you think he had no luck and could not stay at Liverpool?

That was something that had nothing to do with us. He played several games for us and he did well. The basic problem was his work permit and the rules they have in England. Let’s just say he wasn’t allowed to stay after the first few months in England and we had no option but to sell him abroad. It wasn’t what we wanted for him but we had to accept the decision as it stood.

4. What do you think of him this year playing as a striker and scoring 7 goals in 5 matches in the Greek League?

I think as I said that he has good ability 1v1 and a good shot, which are the most important qualities for a striker. So he always had the potential to score goals and it doesn’t surprise me that he’s doing it. I am happy for him and I’m glad he is successful. I would like to congratulate him.

5. Do you think he deserves to play in a bigger European league?

That would be a personal decision, entirely up to him. I think the possibility will arise, because it’s clear he has the potential to do so and then he will have to decide.

6. You made sure that it was put in his contract that should he move on Liverpool will get 45% of the fee. Was that because you saw him as a quality player?

Summarising much of what I’ve already said, we knew he could develop, his play gave us reason to believe this and we simply wanted to protect the interests of Liverpool FC, as was our duty. So that’s what we did.

7. Would you have him at your next club?

That would depend on a lot of things, on our options and possibilites. It would depend on the team, the squad we may have, the players we might have in his position…..But I think that it wouldn’t just be me, because I think any coach would consider taking a player with Sebastian’s potential.

8. They say in Greece that a coach can transform a player? How do you think a coach (or in this case Jesualdo Ferreira) has used a player with a talent like Leto?

To be honest I don’t know their relationship. But we coaches always have players who we connect more with and that could be the case here. It wouldn’t surprise me knowing Leto.

9. What is your impression of the Greek League? Would you consider coaching a top team in Greece?

The truth is, although you will hear and read many things, I am analysing all the different options I have for the future, as I am a professional who makes my living like this and I never reject anything until I know all the possibilities and I want to be certain when I decide. Although I am not hiding anything, because I have said it directly and indirectly, that my priority is still to coach in the Premier League.

Since the interview, he has total 10 goals in 7 league matches, scoring in each of them. Still only 25 yrs of age. Leading topscorer (2nd place player has 6 goals, 3rd has 4)

 

[Gary25]

Just as well we have Stewart Downing on the left wing now.

 

[Athens]

He's well liked by the Panathinaikos fans. The standard here isn't so high, obviously.

 

[Gary25]

[quote author=athensruairi link=topic=34481.msg1423561#msg1423561 date=1320773293]
He's well liked by the Panathinaikos fans. The standard here isn't so high, obviously.
[/quote]

Probably just a case of him not suiting the Premier League. Doesn't mean he's not a good player.

Fair to say Wingers wasn't Rafa's strong point:

Nunez
Pennant
Leto
Gonzalez

To be fair, he didn't spend much on them. Think Nunez came on a free as part of Owen's transfer to Real.

 

[Sunny]

Fucks sake Gary dont mention funding and Benitez ! Ross might be watching..!

*covers Garys mess with a tablecloth*
*stands in front*
*whistles*

 

[King Binny]

Just scored his 13th goal in 12 league appearances.

 

[the count]

[quote author=Binny link=topic=34481.msg1445277#msg1445277 date=1324144086]
Just scored his 13th goal in 12 league appearances.
[/quote]Nice one Binny.
Rosco will be pleased 😉

 

[King Binny]

[quote author=the count link=topic=34481.msg1445286#msg1445286 date=1324144507]
[quote author=Binny link=topic=34481.msg1445277#msg1445277 date=1324144086]
Just scored his 13th goal in 12 league appearances.
[/quote]Nice one Binny.
Rosco will be pleased 😉
[/quote]

Lol. Seeing we have a 45% sell on clause, surely this is not an invalid bump? 😛